Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-31
A CHANGE OF VIEW
The japanese Premier Is Now Against
Subsidies.
fHE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE
Between the Hammer and Anvil as
to Position.
RADICAL CHANGES EXPECTED
of The Evening Star.

Correspondence of The Evening Star.
YOKOHAMA, August 5, 1898.
A decided change is apparent in the tone
of the utterances of Count Okuma since
the responsibilities Of the premiership have
fallen upon his shoulders. AS simple Count
Okuma and even during the periods In
which he held minor Offices in the cabinet,
he was always outspoken and free. and
never seemed SO happy as when he was
singing the praises of his beloved country.
But Count 0kuma was not only talker;
he was also q hard worker and true believ-
err in what he said and did, as testified to
in the time he has given and the money
he has spent from his own private purse
in the cause of education and science, and
the many institutions with which he is con-
nected which have for their object the adj
vancement of the people. Hitherto he has
been one of the greatest optimists of ia
pan, and in some of his speeches he has
even outdone his predecessor, Count Ito,
in his memorable speech delivered during
his last tour through Europe, in which
he described Japan as being lin everything
prosperous, the finances excellent and edu-
cation universal" 1t will. therefore, be
seen that in all things Count Okuma has
always been sincere, his love for his coun-
try genuine and his loyalty irreproachable.
We may take it for granted. then, that the
caution which has characterized the
speeches of the premier since his accession
to office is the result of information ac-
CURED since he has held the highest posi-
ton in the state. In private life he has
been a great advocate of subsidies and the
like, and to his ardent advocacy is in a
great measure due the existence of several
undertakings which are kept up entirely by
subsidies.
Change of View.
But In an Interview he had the other day
with the directors of the largest CONNER
cial companies of the country he gave them
a splendid lecture on the necessity of max
ing their industries self-supporting and the
lack of patriotism on their part in petition
ing the government for help and assistance
on every possible occasion. This was, no
doubt, very good advice, but 1T was not
reiished by the directors Of those compa-
MES which had been brought into existence
solely because the government had thrown
out such tempting inducements. In fact. it
was considered by some Of them as an at
tempt to evade responsibilities which had
been most solemnly undertaken. Again, to
deputation of the political agent of the
government party he counseled them to
put aside their own interests and to leave
the selection of officers to those most COM
petent to judge of the fitness of candidates
for the various positions to be filled, for
only by so doing could the government
hope to be able to accomplish any of the
great reforms which were necessary for
the progress and prosperity of the country.
This Is very good in its way, and is excel
lent advice for such men as political agents,
but it is not such as is likely to keep
political party in power in Japan.
An OMcial-Ridden Country.
Next to China, this is the most official
ridden country l know of, and every posi-
ton in the government and under the gov
ernment- almost down to the very scaven-
gers-is held by favor. And so much SO
has this been the case that for years past
the lower classes have been clamoring
against clan rule and the clans which hold
all the profitable posts in government pay.
1t will. therefore. be seen that Count
Ckuma already finds himself between the
hammer and the anvil. Count Ito wouid
not have resigned the premiership if he
could have found any possible means of
adjusting the revenue and expenditure
SO as to be able to submit to the diet sat
1sfactory budget; and it is evident that
Count Okuma finds 1t difficult to improve
the position of his predecessor unless he
can reduce the subsidies. Taxation may
and can be increased to a certain extent
and especially by a government which has
the support of the people-if that increase
Is necessary for the proper development Of
the natural industries of the country. But
1t will not be granted If it is to be used in
paying subsidies to concerns which are
really not necessary and which only benefit
a few.
Count Okuma must either withdraw or
modify these subsidies most solemnly guar
anteed by previous governments, and in SO
doing bring about the collapse OF the
services to foreign ports and
several other of those large undertakings
which have made Japan almost a surprise
to foreigners, or else he must leave things to
go on from bad to worse, as all his preGe-
cessors have done for the last four years.
On the other hand, If he dismisses all the
clan officials from their posts-some of
whom have already been asked to resign
he will find himself with a new lot of off,
GERS, entirely ignorant of their work, and
all clamering for the best positior.s ire
spective of their ability to fill them, and
the government must for a considerable
time remain in little less than state of
chaos, with these powerful clans harassing
them at every point
Not an Enviable Position.
But should he not dismiss them, he will
be considered as failing to carry out the
program which has been the very life and
soul Of his party ever since the first repre-
sentatives of the people who composed
the first diet were SO discourteously
treated by the clan government, then in
power. 1t will, therefore, be seen that the
position of Count Okuma is not an enviable
ole, and that 1t will require a master
mind to overcome these very great difficult
ties which he must encounter at every
turn in his new Office To most men the
task would be positively insurmountable
But Count Okuma is the very man for the
occasion, for he is a man Of exceptional
energy and perseverance, and the more
matters are the more inter-
ested he becomes in the study and solution
IF them. Consequently, we may look for
ward with great interest to the politics of
Japan. as likely to produce some radical
changes which may closely concern many
American and British interests.