The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-16
THE JAPANESE EMPIRE.
Facts About Its Form Of Government d
Interest - Americans.

| Facts About Ets Form Of Government d
J Interest - Americans.
Tne Russo-Japarsss War, magazine
written, printed. illustrated and published by
Japanese In Toxic. gives at a glance infor-
nation concerning the Japanese Empire
which, In the swirl and whirl Of business
and political life, may not be quite familiar
to many Americans and which, put In sue
cinot form, may be welcome at this time.
The OFFICIAL statistics for 1904 give tho
total population Of the empire as 1900 900,
not including Formosa. which is reckoned
at about 100000 There are %,65i mobiles.
and 22o persons over 100 years old, the
oldest being 1l2 years. At the beginning
Of 1908 there were II, see foreign residents.
Tho theory Of the Government Of Japan
has always boon that the country was an
absolute monarchy ruled over by the sov-
ereigns Of ono unbroken dynasty, and this
theory has always been IN . sense an
sotustty for, though more than ono Of those
sovereigns has ruled in name only, there has
always boon . sovereign Of tho imperial
line, and he has slways been In theory an
autocrst.
In 1881 The present Emperor fulfilled
fourteen-year-old promise to give his
people tho benefits Of constitution. Tho
fourteen years that elapsed between the
promise and It's fulfllment were no idle
ones, they being employed In the gradual
removal Of ancient customs that barred
tho way Of national progress and in search
ing for intelligence and wisdom throughout
the world
Az q constitutional sovereign the Emperor
remains. as before, the supreme head,
combining In his person all sovereign
rights and exercising all executive funo-
tons with the advice and assistance of
Cabinet Ministers appointed by himself
and responsible to him alone for their ad-
minstration Of affairs.
There Is also Prvy Council, composed
chiefly Of ex-Ministers whom the Emperor
can consult on matters Of State whenever
1t is necessary. The declaration Of war,
the making OF peace. the concluding Of
treaties, are all in the hands Of the En-
peror.
To him also belong the organization Of
all branches Of the Government service.
the appointment and dismissal OF all OFF,
Gals, the fixing OF their salaries, the grant,
ing OF titles Of nobility, Of ranks. orders
and other emblems Of honor, and not only
the punishment Of criminals, but also all
questions relating to pardons. amnesties,
Communication Of punishments and the re-
Mobilization Of disgraced persons.
The Emperor is in supreme command Of
the army and navy. In legislative matters
he acts through and with the advice Of the
Diet, which consists Of two houses-Peers
and Representatives. The summoning,
opening, closing, proroguing and dissolv-
ing of the Diet are Of the Emperors pre-
negatives.
The existence Of the Diet does not how
ever, limit the legislative power Of the
Emperor at times when the Diet Is not
sitting At such times sudden emergencies
may be met by Imperial ordinances having
the effect Of laws. Only these ordinances
must never according to the Constitution,
change or modify any of the existing laws
sanctioned by the Diet.
Projects Of law may be initiated by the
Government in either OF the houses OF the
Diet. and either house may make repre-
sentations to the Government or present
addresses to the Emperor when public
business demands 1t. The voting of the
annual budget is in the hands Of the House
OF Representatives.
The House OF Peers is composed OF all
members OF the Imperial family, all Princes
and Marquises with hereditary tenure and
OF a certain number Of Counts, viscounts
and Parons, elected for periods Of seven
years.
There are also a certain number Of per-
sons nominated for life by the Emperor in
recognition of their learning or service to
the State and few representatives Of the
highest taxpayers in the country, elected
for periods OF seven years. The total
number Of members Of this house is 500.
The House OF Representatives has 379
seats occupied by members from the va
rious electoral districts, elected by a secret
dnrle ballot. The electors are male jap
anese subjects OF not less than 25 years
Of age, who have paid ten yen (about IS
in American money! at least in Imperial
taxes for ono year previously II on land;
for two years IL In other taxes.
Candidates must be male Japanese sub
iects of not less than 80 years OF age. The
following are disqualified: Officers Of the
Imperial household judges, public au-
ditors, revenue collectors, police officials.
officers in either OF the services (army
and navy, priests. teachers Of primary
schools, officials connected with the cleo
tons, bankrupts and all who have been
or are under criminal sentence.
The president Of either house receives
salary of 5000 yen about 81, 500 in Ameri-
can money! per annum; the Nce-presidents
receive 5000 yen (about 81 500, and the
ordinary members 1900 yen about 81 ,OOO),
besides travelling expenses.
A member may, II he chooses. decline
to receive q salary, and there have al
ready been some instances Of this. The
Diet is to be convoked every year. The
first session was in 1890; IN the fifteen years
since there have been, owing to dissolutions,
twenty-four sessions.
The first ten years Of the Diet may be
said to have been experimental. The