The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-12-13

policy, whatever may be the value of
its accrediting to Marquis Ito. It's weak
spot SENS the disastrous effect that the
announcement of a policy of delay
would produce on other nations. 1t
may even be understood that this poll
icy does not preclude the immediate or
dering, in advance, Of necessary way
ships, etc, their payment to be ar
ranged to come from the budgets five
years hence, though such an arrange
ment could hardly be considered any
thing but an evasion, even If it were
possible and not ultimately more cost
ly than the present proposal By the
Katsura Cabinet. Even then it would
go forth that Japan On financial COM
siderations had determined on u policy
of delay in regard to her navy, and the
effect would assuredly be prejudicial
abroad. We are inclined to think that
the Japan Times does not fully state
the Marquis ideas on the subject The
evident solicitude, however, tina. the
veteran statesman shows for the finan-
cial well-being of his country Will con-
firm the confidence entertained in him
by his countrymen and will dispose
them to incline a ready ear to his views
on this important subject, whenever
they shall be fully and officially eN-
pressed.
Many statements of Marquis Ito's
views have been put out, often, it SEEM
ed, tentatively or founded on pure con-
lecture. So far, indeed, nothing sure
is known of the matter and the best
judges declare that no official hint can
be looked for, and that, until the the
Marquis has determined on his plan,
he will keep his own counsel. Among
other views" attributed to him may
be noted the following, which appear
as a Tokyo despatch 10 the Asahi:
Marquis Ito regrets that the Kat
sura Cabinet has not yet thoroughly
effected the adjustment of the admin
istration.
1.-The Marquis is reluctant to hear
the Cabinet has decided to continue
the enhanced land-tax before it effects
the adjustment referred to above.
3.-The Marquis thinks it inevitable
that the Diet will be dissolved as re-
suit of the Cabinets resolution to stick
to the continuance of the land tax.
4.-The Marquis is reluctant to speak
about the Cabinet measures for the
fund for Naval expansion; but he
thinks the proposal itself is reasonable.
5.-The Marquis is opposed to the
proposal to extend the railways and
telephones and thinks that the Japan
ese Government will bring the railways
to the same condition as the railways
in Italy. The Marquis thinks that the
Japanese railways should be construct
ed for business aims pure and simple
and not military ends, whereas military
considerations rule at present. The
Marquis opposes the construction of
railway for Military purposes.
6.-The Marquis thinks the financial
scheme of the Cabinet is extravagant
and that there is cause to apprenend
disasters. 1t is reported that Marquis
Ito proposes to oppose the new project
of the Government as much as posi-
BILE. With the surplus he would secure
by reducing Government enterprises he
would increase the Navy.
Since writing the above, another con-
struction of Marquis Ito's views is for
warded by our Tokyo correspondent,
intimating that he suggests raising the
funds necessary for the naval inCre-
ment by economizing in the proposed
railway and telephone measures. This
may be also another tentative sugges
ton. The main point on which all
agree is that the Marquis firmly holds
to the necessity of naval expansion in
JaIan.