The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-12-01
JAP POLITICS
LOOMINGU ON
DIETS OPENING
ABSORBING INTEREST ATTACHES
TO FORTHCOMING SESSION OF
Law MAKING BODY ON Ac-
COUNT OF OUTSIDE TROUBLES.
RY AssOCIATED PRESs.

Toxic, Nov. 29.@AbSOrbing interest
attaches to the Forthcoming session OF
year has been monentous politically
on account of the trouble in China and
the passage of the alien land tenure
bill in California. These questions are
likely to be reflected in parliament
Anti American speeches by chauvinists
are regarded as not unlikely. Consid-
cradle uncertainty as to the direction
internal politics will take less add
tional attraction to the sessions of the
assembly.
servative, but the masses throughout
Japan are exerung a greater power in
political life and their representatives
in parliament viii voice this tendency.
The student class as evidenced by the
recent attack before the foreign office
gates over the Chinese question is
making itself heard. The universally
Of education and incidentally the
woman are all things which must be
reckoned with 1t determining the po
htical future of Japan.
1t is true that the conservative in
fuence of the elder statesmen and
of what might be called the reaction
the change from an oligarchy to con-
stitutional monarchy. But there is an
old Japanese proverb which says:
Consult only with your KNEES"
tive by nature. AT all times he reflects,
consults and weighs before making
any decision. This fundamental trait
in the Japanese character, together
with the predoninating reverence for
the emperor and love of country are
likely to prevent any plunge into dan
gerous radicaaiSIn, even if a new and
more liberal cabinet should come into
power.
There are today five different polfti-
S~T [sz.e4 To-,
difficult to designate these groups as
liberals or radicals, as
one would in the west, because of the
absence of essential differences in their
platforms. AL are fundamentally de-
voted to the contamination of true
cons titutioral regime. The truth of the
matter seems that Japan's internal
politics is undergoing a period Of tran
sttion. In the case of politics 1t is
from the oligarchaI regime controlled
by the Elder Statesmen, into true con-
monarchy with party gov
The new order of things is
still in embryo. The political forces
are there, ready to b emolded into de-
finite form.
An Important Group.
The most important group in thesi
diet is the Seiyukai, which might be
called the conservative party of Japan.
1t always takes a strong part in sue
cessive governments, and is behind the
present cabinet. The next in strength
Is the party founded by the late Prince |
Katsura, who believed that the Japa |
nese ideals of government could be best
subseryed by introducing a strong two !
party system, representing the people |
and responsible to the emperor. His |
party platform was vaguely dedicated /
to attaining a truer constitutional |
regime by advancin gthe welfare of the /
people, especially. in education. Many /
people believe that katsura's death /
nay mean the collapse of his two /
party idea and his party, as it was es- !
;entially a personal movement. The |
remaining parties include more or less |
'adical groups known as the Kol1u /
ninto, and the Seiyu club, with the |
voting at will.
More and more is it becoming evil |
lent, however. that the real political
divisions in Japan are not these po-
thu The men who built up the Japa-
lese navy came from Satsuma prov
nee, and the creators OF the army
anne from Choshu. These two great
political forces are intensely active to-
lay, always overshadowing any of the
lolitical groupings referred to above.
Whatever may be the influence of
he session of the diet upon the life of
he present ministry 1t appears prob
Ibie that careful conservatism will be |
he keynote of Japan's foreign policy
or some time to come and that ia
,ans attitude toward the United
states will Ibe based upon friendliness
nd cooperation. Above all, Japan
eeks to expand her foreign commerce.
70 that goal. the opening OF the Pan
ma canal, she realizes is her great
Ambassador Guthrie has made fine
upon the japanese people,
nd has now settled down to routine
f his official position in Toxic. Under
he auspices Of the imperial court, the
was formally presented to
Ugh Japanese officials and to his di-
lomatiC confreres at a brilliant func-
ion held at the American embassy
There were present the high minis
ers OF state, officers of the army and
ANY, masters of ceremonies, lord
towards, stewards and aides de camps
0 the princes of the blood as well as