The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-11
POLITICS IN Japan

at the point in its constitutional evolu-
ton that the Americans reached in
Old Hickory's time. Here the anal
ogy ends
result Of meeting OF business men
called to consider ways and means OF
improving trade conditions between
the States. The very foundations OF
commerce. This disposition to foster
business resulted in the Bank OF the
United States. To destroy that bank
and to take the control of politics
was the work of Jackson's great poit-
zeal battles. In Japan the constitution
was not ordained by the people. but
was granted from above by the En-
peror. Tho lowest class of those peo-
pie were the merchants and they have
not been considered. The literary and
military men rule the nation, and the
merchants must shift for themselves:
battle In which the commercial inter-
ests are trying TO obtain representa-
ton.
II predictions made by close students
by events the country viii divide
along the same lines that have divided
all peoples. The party now in power
Will receive the conservative strength
and the Progressist or shimpoto party
will gather the radicals and demo-
Gratis together The business men are
trying to capture both parties. but are
receiving much more encouragement
from the shimpoto. which is now in
opposition. In Japan the unit of the
state. SO far as the people are con-
cerned. Is not the Individual. but the
family Family" means whole clan
OF ancient lineage. and it's organiza-
ton is as perfect as piece of deli
cate machinery. The rights of the in
dividua are never considered as
against those of the family. The Shin
poto is attempting to break down this
clan system. Its Henerab bic leader,
Count Okuma, Is an indlvidualist and
| democrat. He Is also some thing OF
free eater, and IT was he who stirred
the radical Japanese on the subject OF
| the San Francisco school question and
+! the immigration restriction agitation.
While 1t Is not proper to doubt his
| sincerity, there is excellent reason for
| the belief that his radicalism on
these questions was more directly the
result of his seeing an opportunity to
| take a shot at the cabinet than be-
cause he really wanted to make trou-
| BILE with America.
Party feeling is already running
| high. and the newspapers attack the
| leaders of opposite parties with as
much bitterness as the American press
has ever shown. Back of all the party
! spirit. however, is absolute unity In
loyalty to the Emperor. Il the En-
| peror cuts off mans official head
criticism Is not directed toward him
as Americans sometimes criticize the
President. but rather to the minister
who screened the eyes of His 1mpe-
rial Majesty The Mikado is a real
ruler, and many things done in Japan
are his direct acts. For this reason
the influence of the elder statesmen.
who have direct access to the throne.
| is OF such great weight in affairs.
But the elder statesmen will pass
away. new Emperor will come, who
will gradually resign himself to that
position Of innocuous desuetude which
so many constitutional monarchs oc-
| cupy, and then will come the party
rule in fact. The beginning of that
era is at hand. and from the. elections
| in June will emerge the two organl-
I cations which will in time bring Japan
actually into the. circle. of the great
! nations which derive their powers from
! the people, which are responsible to
the people and which viii endure as
| the people is the voice of God"
Copyright. 1908. by Frederic ].
| Haskino
I o-morrow-The Yellow Peril.