The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-26
The Cabinet Saved From Defeat by the
Propagation Of Parliament.

The Cabinet Saved From Defeat BY the
Propagation Of Parliament.
YOKOHAMA, Jan. q. -[Special Core.
spondence. Recent events in Japan have
probably raised the question in many
minds whether the time for . constitu-
tional government has fully come. 1t is
quite certain that there are some in high
positions who would be glad if the OPEN
ing of q parliament had been postponed to
some future and remote date.
Up to the present time there has been a
constant and wide divergence of views be.
tween the government and tho house of
representatives: and in the progress of
events this disagreement has become moro
and more prominent. until at last all prog
ress is stopped and the issue must be met.
As the discussions have gone on, and tho
sentiments Of the people found expression,
the result has been . decrease in the Con-
sentative, or government party, and an
increase on the part of the opposition.
1t is probably due to this fact that when
the present diet convened the new cabinet
assumed q conciliatory attitude and
showed . willingness to make quite liberal
concessions to the majority. But their
opponents would accept of no compro-
mise, and insisted upon the acceptance of
their terms at once.
The chief point at issue was the reduc.
ton of the budget. It was claimed on tho
part of the opposition that the salaries of
officials and many other expenses were
much larger than were necessary, and the
people were unable to bear such q heavy
burden as was thus imposed. A partial
change was agreed to on the part of the
cabinet, but it was added that some of the
estimates must remain as they were.
This answer was received by the house
with expressions of strong disapproba-
ton, and 1t was determined that some
thing must be done to make the cabinet
yield. 1t was then decided that all other
business should be stopped until this
matter was settled. And so on the 18th
inst. the house adjourned for five days in
order to give the cabinet time to recon.
slider their decision. 1t was thought bv
this action the government would
be compelled to accept the terms proposed
by the house. dissolve the diet, or the
cabinet would resign.
But the government chose to do neither.
Without any delay an answer was re-
turned that their former decision was un-
alterable and final.
After the five days had elapsed the
house again assembled, and a great crowd
OF spectators was present to witness the
next step in the solution of the question
at issue. 1t was rumored that since the
cabinet had declined to accede to the de-
mands OF the diet that a proposition was
TO be brought forward for immediate ac-
ton In which 1t was proposed that an an
peal be nov made to the emperor
by the standing orders of the house il
was required that except in cases Of
urgent necessity, two days at least must
De allowed To intervene between the dis
trioution OF bill and the first reading
BUT the opposition was fully agreed that
this was matter of vital aud urgent i'm
Portance: and. as such. justified imme-
olate action. Some wanted a suspension
OIL the sIt,ings until the receipt Of the SOW
ereign's answer; and others held tina, such
action was wanting in respect for the en-
peror.
Whether it was the discussion of this
question or some other cause. there was q
slight delay in the appearance OF the lead
ers OF the opposition. When they entered
the house there was no demonstration of
any KIND or unusual appearance on their
part In other countries there would no
doubt have been some cheering or sign of
encouragement On the part of their
The leader, Mr.. Kono. is described a.
beng quiet, seIf-contained, almost sub
oued IN manner, with pensive aspect.
ana imperturabie suavlfy that would lend
an ar OF respectabiiity 10 any cause with
which be was associated. No one unac.
Quslnted with the circumstances would