The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-09
THE pEAcg Avn THE RIOTS.
japanese Have Regarded Internal Loans
~ Guaranteed BY Expected Indemnity.


TO THE Enron OF TIE sUN--Sir: The
troubles agitating Russia and Japan are not
In any way surprising; the only wonder ID
that In Russia they have been 20 long de-
layed Those In japan wefo expected from
the very beginning OF the war to take place
Immediately on lts conclusion. but not ex-
actly under the circu instances reported from
Toxic In tho dispatches OF the last two Gays
At the be ginnlng OF the war the leaders OF the
Radical and Socialist parties In Japan, In ana
GU tside the Legislature. notified the Govern
ment OF the Mikado that they would exact
severe reckoning for the suherlng and cost
which they know tho war would impose on
the masses whom they represented; but the
Radicals promised inaction during the war,
while the Socialists kept up their agitation
and some found themselves In prison for their
pains.
The parties, however. who are at the head
Of the present disturbances belong from all
accounts to q different category. They
appear to be Of the Samurai class. and are
what might be called LIMOGES. There 70 also
reason for believing that others will 30 found
implicated who are connected with financial
affairs. and that their participation 10 caused
through the failure OF tho Government TO
insist on the payment Of heavy Indemnity
by Russia. II was hinted at In the Japanese
papers on several occasions that the internal
loans that were issued during the war were
practically guaranteed by the war indemnity
which would be exaoted from Russia when
peace came TO be made. and II would appear
to be the failure Of their anticipatlons In that
direction that has to do with the denunois-
tons of the Government for tho unsatis-
factory nature OF the peace settlement.
Should those aRgrieved financially be Joined
by the Radiosls and Socialists for purposes
| Of agitation and making internal trouble for
the Government. there may be stormy times
ahead for the Mikado that may be as trying
for him as for his Russian brother.
1t 10 only two months ago that oorre-
spondent In Japan wrote mo that 20 strong
was the dissatisfaction with the war among
the masses that the last contn gent OF some
rs 900 men who passed through the port
where he lives on their way to join the army
In the field had to be guarded night and day
by police and soldiers to prevent their break
ing away to avoid embarkation. Other
circumstances were mentioned TO show the
WEAKNESS of the people with the war ana
tho reasons for tho apathy that was falling
over the country In spite Of the Victories
won by the army and navy. The slight rise
In wages. caused by the increased activity
created by the war and the decreased supply
Of labor caused by the drafting away Of large
bodies OF men TO tho field of operations was
more than neutralized by the increased cost
ofliving to the extent Of 20 TO 80 per cent.
There is one thing that may save the situa-
| ton in Japan 80 far a. popular troubles are
| concerned. The outflow Of the surplus
population that is going on to Corea and
China will relieve the congestion in the poorer
elements. and 80 diminish the power OF the
Socialists to create trouble but 1t will not
help. except indirectly and slowly. to reooup
| the money advanced to tho Government on
| the internal issues OF stock that are repayable
within short period; while q continuance OF
domestic trouble will render 1t dimcult for
the Government to effect conversions and
| consolid atoms OF their internal and external
loans within the periods fixed for their re-
| payment. Both fnanciers and politicians
| In Japan and elsewhere therefore have good
| reason for taking q serious interest In the
fu ture conditions of Japanese politics should
| the Japanese people prove A. strenuous in
their domestic ruggles as their armies did
on the battlefield. +.
NEW YORK, Sept. 3.