The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-17
WAS0NLY AN AMERICAN
JAPANESE Nor AFRAID or BEING
CsIlED 10 ACCOUNT.
pen Picture OF Marc uis Ito japanese Anx-
tous to Get Hold Of American Capital
The Eastern situation.

an population OF Tokyo does not evncc
aliv morbid curiosity when the Diet
e0cns. even when 80 is known that tho
impcror viii conduct the ceremony in
person. There may be O crowd OF per-
hans three or four hundred people al
sakuradai. but e. IL composed of chance
pa.scrs by. attracted or detained by the
Gordon OF policemen. Tho element OF in
fcrlstcd spectators IS totally absent. SO
80 was on the 2ith OF December when the
descendant OF Tho sun-coddcss. with COM
ucndahie punctuality. drove 20 the par
liamertary buildings. There was not a
man among the assembled members 81
fro legislature who did not know that
The lower House would insist upon the
dismissal or the resignation OF the C0bi-
net. but there was not a native among
those representative men who would have
hcsutated ono instant 10 lay down his
rfc ~ tho Tonshi Sauna O,ord OF Heaven.
tho title given 90 the Emperor by tho
Japancsc). the embodiment OF the va
mato pamashu Esprit Of Old Japan, had
called upon him 20 do so. With bent
head. expressive of more than formal re-
spcct. they listened while His Majesty
read.
OPENING DECREE.
we hereby perform the ceremony OF
opening tho Imperial Diet.
Lords and Gentlemen OF the House
o. Peers and tho House Of Representa-
tvcs-Wc have pleasure iu informing you
chat our relations with an tho Treaty
Powers are ON footing 81 the closest
and most friendly character and that the
revision of the treaties IS on the point Of
contamination.
"1n order 10 establish the finances on
n firm basis. We have instructed the Min
81 ooh ONO Of
increased taxation in connection with the
budget for the thirty-nrst year OF Meij
and 10 submit tho measure 70 YOU, In
conjunction with n bin embodyiug tho
Revised Codes and various other projects
of law. essential 10 the promotion OF ma
toual prosperity and TO administrative
progress.
I'VE trust that you will discharge your
functions Of elaboration and consent
with harmony and careful thought"
Not a very long speech listened 20 with
profound respect and absolute desire 10
obey. hy the same men who are as abso-
iutely resolved 20 make IL hot for His
Majesty p advisers. the members OF the
Cabinet.
To the japanese mind there is no con-
fridictiOn I'M this. The answer 10 the
imperial speech seems 10 US a mockcry
in view of the action following a.. Here
So f.. May % please Your Imperial Ma
1cstv. Your Maiesty's servant. Hatoyama
Kayus. President OF the House OF Re-
personalities. begs 90 submit with awe
and reverence that Your Majcsty's SER
wants are moved with profound gratitude
for Your Majcstys condescenslOn In per-
sonaly attending 10 open the eleventh
session OF The Imperial Diet and in favor
ing them with Your Maiesty's gracious
speech. Your Majesty's servants Will en-
dcavOr by earnestness and careful delibe-
ration 20 respond TO Your Majesty's will
and % discharge the trust reposed IN
them 10y tho nation"
The President according 20 law had
proceeded to the palace 10 deliver this
reply. while the House adjourned. When
% reassemhled 40 1.l0 j. NJ, the President
reported that the Emperor had acknOwl-
edged the reply in the words we APP
prove the loyal sentiments expressed by
the members Of the House Of Represen-
tstives."
BRIEF. BUT POINTED.
This was on the 18th, the day after the
opening. The House was about 10 pro-
coed 20 business when one of the menu
bcrs asked permission 10 introduce an
urgency motion. Every one knew what
WAS coming Upon the Presidents ask
ing the pleasure of the House. a majority
rose. thus expressing the desire 10 hear
thc motion. The proposer, Mr.. Suzuki
then read:
Resolved. That this House does not
place confidence in the Cabinet"
The cheers that followed were inter
rupted bv the President announcing an
imperial message. Tie read.
'Iu accordance with Act VII OF the Inn
norial Constitution, we hereby order the
dissolution of the House of Representa-
tiyos"
Brief-hut 20 the point. II might reas-
onably he imagined that this uncoromon-
ious dismissal. after half "a days session.
would provoke some signs of dissaus-
faction. but We are here In Japan, the
Land Of Surprises where only the uneX-
uected happens as 10 certainly did this
Tins.
The Assembly cheered. packed up THEN
PAPERS, and quietly dispersed. IL had
been ioreseen what the Diet would DO;
IT'S action had. in tact been most fully
discussed iu the newspapers, and II was
evident that the Cabinet must 90, that
40 majority could bc obtained Tor 10 I'M
der any circumstances. What caused
this general mpopularity? Nothing but
the fact that two of IT'S members had de-
seconded from statesmen 20 the role OF
politicians They had made a bargain
with "a political party. and that party re-
pudiated fits leaders and the Cabinet II
was "a sharp lesson and one that VIII be
remembered. Honor 20 Japan where pa
friotism in lts most exalted sense con-
trois the action or nor pubic men!
What ueXt9 Well on Tho 9th the En-
peror summoned Count kuroda. Presi-
dent Of The Privy Council and held a long
conference with him. Count kurOda sug-
gested that either Marquis TO or Mar
ous Namae1to should be- sent for. and
a telegram Was sent 10 Ito desiring his
presence at the palace. Ito begged 10 be
excused stating that bee was suffering
from his ewes but Kuroda was Dispatch
I'D on tho 2Sth 90 order him 20 come.
PEN PICTURE OF ITO.
TO rs "a patriot and, perhaps after
Inouye. the ablest man OF Japan. lnouye
has something besides ability. backbone
and IL makes HIM unpopular. He does
not scruple 10 call things hy their right
name. and has frequently rendered him
selr odious while doing excellent ser
vice by telling bis follow-subjects In I'M
vanished language OF their most glar-
ing national faults. lnouye dares, Ito
tempor.zes Inouyc As utterly Indifferent
20 public opinion. knowing that be fos-
tiers no selfish thought Ito Is sensitive
10 criticism lie may overcome n In
time Of danger but 10 pains and troubles
MIN. with inouye at the head OF the
Cabinet. there would Doe q policy which
no pressure could influence. Ito, as Pre-
micr. will continue the preparations for
any emergency that may arise and will
.fs q Ines ~ ia