The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-26
have supposed this to be such . crisis in
political affairs as the nation has not seen

have supposed this to be such . crisis in
political affairs as the nation has not seen
for years.
After formal announcement on the
part Of the president that the proceedings
were opened, there was the usual report Of
documents received. The first of these
was the governments third answer to the
question of the reduction of the fixed ex-
penditures. The next was an address to
the throne prepared by the representatives
OF the three parties commanding q major
lty OF the house.
The answer Of the government was very
brief and its reading called forth no re-
Spouse. Mr.. Kono then rose and asked
leave to change the order of the day. In
few words he stated that as three at
tempts to obtain the concurrence of the
government had failed. nothing remained
but to appeal TO the throne. This state
ment was accompanied by chorus of APP
prevail. The motion was then made and
carried by an overwhelming majority that
the house would consider the address to
the throne at once. At this decision
crowd rushed to the chief secretary's desk
and recorded their names as desiring to
take part in the debate.
Mr.. Kono was the first to mount the
roscrum. He had barely completed few
preliminary remarks when one of the Sec
retaries laid an imposing dispatch box be-
fore the president. As soon as it could DO
opened the speaker was requested to re-
sumo his seat,
Then followed the most earnest expect
ancy as to what was the matter. 1t was
soon relieved by the announcement that
an imperial rescript had been received and
the diet was prorogued for period of fif-
teen days.
This was an unexpected turn of affairs,
and there was great variety OF express
ions on all sides. Some were amused.
some astonished and some defiant. In
stead of sitting in judgment and defying
the cabinet the members were now sent
home for fortnight TO mediate upon the
uncertainty OF all mundane affairs and
Japanese matters in particular.
In commenting on the propagation of
the diet, one Of the Tokyo papers alleges
that while the battle in the house has
been delayed for fifteen days the trouble is
no nearer settlement than before. The
government, however, has shown its reso-
luton, and the opposition members live
in apprehension that dissolution may be
the next step. This is what they most
dread, but there is no help for ii. Will
the result therefore be resignation, disso-
luton or uncOncern?"
Another paper thinks that "while the
propagation may be longer than necessary
yet good results will ensue. AT present
all the members of the Popular party are
suffering from political fever, but when
more amenable to reason and a settlement
may be hoped for"
1t Is rumored that there are two parties
In the cabinet. One desires to dissolve
the diet; the other wishes to correct the
past errors and thus bring about harmoni-
Gus cooperation.
1t is thought by some that the first adj
journment and the propagation also are
only part of q scheme of the prime min
lister to bring about such changes in the
ministry as will insure unity and har-
mony not only in the cabinet but between
the diet and government as well.
Some of the present ministry belong to
what is known as the Military party, and
1t is surmised that they will either be
asked to resign or be removed. Then new
/ men will be appointed who will either con-
cede what is demanded or be able to effect
some peaceful solution Of the questions at
issue. As the opposition now have such q
large majority it is impossible that the
cabinet will be able to continue their an
tagonlsm, and it is only q question of
time when they must yield. The people
and their representatives are fully deter
mined that there must be q reduction In
the expenditures. and whatever else may
be the result the reduction is sure to come.