The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-02
poE11IcAE oUEsTIoxs IN ylp1x
TIE Movement 90 ExeIuss Foreiruers rro-,
the Empire and Etc Eject On the Reesnt

Ths Movement to E1sipss Foreiru.r. sro-
the Empire and Etc Eject the Rsesnt
Dissoiutiou of the JaPnsess Fariianent.
To THE EDITOR OF THE suH-Sir. In thu
Issues OF TIE Sun OF the 10th and 2Sth there
appeared kilograms from San Francisco with
relation to existing political troubles in Jaran.
] am not certain. OF course. but think that
your correspondent got his Information from
some one Of the English newspapers PUBLISHED
in Yokohama possibly from the Japan H7di.
which Is rabidly anti-Japanese.
The legation is in an unfortunate position In
matters OF this kind, because 10 one connected
with It has the right publicly to correct state
ments OF this description; but IL you will par.
don me for trespassing upon your time can
give you resume OF the facts in the case.
The lower House OF the Japanese Diet was
dissolved BY imperial decree on the 18th o.,
last month. and a new election is to take rla,s
about the middle Of next month. The imms.
diats reason for dissolution was a representa-
tion TO tho Government demanding the strict
enforcement Of the treaties with foreign pow.
ere. to be followed by several other en-.
actments having the same general object.
The party proposing these measures Is known
as tho Anti Mixed Residence party" koku.
min Klokai. They believe either that
foreigners should not be permitted TO r..
side or trade in the interior OF japan
at all. or that such residence or trads
should be postponed for many year.
And. In order to carry out their OF cc,
they proposed to institute drastic measure,
for the punishment OF japanese who ia
aided foreigners to secure the enjoyment ~
privileges not expressly granted Ivy treaty.
or course such an idea could only obtain this
honest support OF lew antiduAted conserve
these we're number Of shrewd politicians
whose chief aim was to harass and enIharrass
tiaaDIltIOn
No Japanese Of any intelligence believes for
momsnt that the empire can remain closed
that its opening Is essential to the compp;a
recovery Of the rights which are held IN ato'-
those rights is the dearest wish Of every ratr.
otic japanese. aud II the present excitemcnt
comes from the irritation. not unnatural uEtec
the circu m stances. with which japanese ",r-
template the unequal burdens imposed upon
It was made clear. however. in the speech o.
before the Dissolution OF the House that tns
Government would not suffer any attack npon
foreign Int erests Dissolution followed not.
ip favor Of such an attack as because
the opposition were ready to use any
The Cabinet. Thc result. are '' not %'O how!
ever. nearly 80 sorions as the teleGrams -
perfectly well able to hold It's own and TO tGkc
care Of all Foreigners in Lapan. The nttacs,
streets. &C., are all Isolated cases of tTialGg
Importance, A fow SOski. or students. swag.
gerng about the streets have here or thcrs
indui ged in these unpleasant psstimes when
out OF sight o! the police. but no one has been
seriously hurt, and IL Is safe to predict that 10
ono will be seriously hurt by this Temporary
ebullltion OF feeling among the ignorant
The real cause for Disagreement between the
japanese Executive aud tho Legislature licS
deeper than IL in iicuted by this passing popular
efervescence. Tho truth is that par llameDtary
government is on trial In japan There nrc
number of parties in the Diet 10 one OF them
strong enough to show majority The two
the I'rogt essionis,s lkaishlnto. They, em-
brace almost all OF the ability In the lower
House. year ago they were united against
the government, This year they qnarrelIet;
other OF the smaller parties. the anti-mixed
resident faction among the rest. forGed tho
resignation OF Mr.. Hoshi Toru. the President
9; the House and leader Of tho l!adical,
supported the measures which brought about
the dissolution OF the House. But IL is a we'll
known fact that the Progressionists do not on
pOse the opening OF the empire to foreign
trade and residence. and that they only sun
ported these measures on account OF their Op-
position to the present Cabinet
suit OF the approaching election. OF one thing
there eau be no doubt that, whatever tina out
come foreign interests will be perfectly safe.
and Japan will scrupulously observe her otl.-
. The present Cabi net is composed OF some OF
tho ablest men in Japan. Among its mentors
are several who took leading part in the es-
notably Count Ito. the Prime Minister who
drew up the Constitution itself. With such
men Mt tho helm an equitable compromise ia
inent OF popular Goyernment will be guided to
smoother waters. Yours yerytruly
u. W. STEVENS,
LEGATION OF JAPAN. WASHINGTON Jan. 20.