Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-05-11

japanese Socialistic Experiments
Greatness in nations-the power
Il to do things and preserve the regard
of the world-chiefy implies a re.
spect for law, obedience to authority
@ and the maintenance of public order
0 In making the most of these attri-
\ butes Japan has been singularly for
tunate. Possibly alone among the
nations of the world, her advance
, ment has chiefly been brought about
by concessions made by those in
: power working downward and not By
l revolutionary movements from be-
} low. No "Reign of Terror" forced
the emperor to part with his tradi-
Itionally God-given legislative pow
ers, or coerced the mobiles TO surrend-
er their patents to nobility. What
Happens, therefore, when a body OF
Japanese inspired by the exalted
aims of occidental socialism break
laws, defy authority and turn to de-
stroy life and property in order to
enforce their ideas that wealth, labor
and authority are inadequately d.
Ivided? The rebellion at the Ashlo
copper mines near Nikko, serves as
an eloquent answer.
These mines, the property Of the
Furukawa family, were equipped
with the best modern machinery and
gave employment TO about 10000
men. All known modern appliances,
physical and mental, were employed
TO preserve the health and lives OF
the operators and to make them hap
py in their work. Wages were regu.
lated according TO profits. Griev-
ances OF all sorts were adjusted by
n committee of managers represent
ing the property owners and dele |
gates elected by the men. Justice and |
tranquility seemed permanently es-
tablished at the AshIo mines when
operators from the occldent began |
to introduce the insldious doctrines
of immature Socialism-the pro-
letariat must organize and by force
obtain n larger percentage OF the |
profits; II must organize as a guaran- |
tee of It's future supremacy.
The reply of the Furukawa family
is memorable: They could permit
no organization of employees which at
any time might be used to ruin the
business any more than the national
government could permit the pres
ence of rebel army ready 10 bring |
about n revolution the moment
things did not go TO suit II. Neither
an industrial concern OF a govern
ment could tolerate n condition OF
armed neutrality on the part of It's
employers or citizens.
Then II was that Socialism deter
mined 10 adopt a policy of fore,
The mining plant. the property of
the Furukawa family, representing |
many millions, was blown up, the
homes of the officials were destroyed |
and members of their families MUIR
dered or driven into the mountain
Soon the poletariate was left I'm full |
possession OF the ruins. The Social
istic organization suddenly found
itself dissolved into a band of indi- |
yldual mastery. Those few days wit |
messed Japanese civilization revertlng
10 it's primary elements.
At length the government took
hand. Troops were sent. Law, au-
thority and public order were en-.
forced by bullets and at the point OF (
the bayonet Arbitration was not
even limited at When these things
had been done, the troops repaired
as best they could the damage, ana
the plant was restored out OF the
Furukawa reserve fund
The Ashio copper mine is again
ready TO be operated, but-and this
is the most potent lesson OF the whole
matter--wages, reckoned as former
ly, on percentage OF the profits,
will be about 40 per cent lower than
they were, and the Furukawas stili
maintain their right 10 conduct their
business under the law. insist on
obedience TO authority and the main,
tenanee OF public order,--.New York
Times.