The Washington herald., 1913-03-23

The political unrest in Japan. which is
taking the aspect of an energetic con-
stitutional reform, did not begin last
month or the month before. The recent
cabinet crisis simply was its opportunity.
The demands of the thinking element of
the Japanese Liberals-that the constitp-
ton should be brought up to equality
with those nations who enjoy responsible
parliamentary government has been
heard at intervals for years. But as long
as Mutsohito lived his popularity, the
power, and prestige Of his office, and
the shrewdness and tact with which he
employed tradition for reform purposes
kept the reform in check.
When the present ruler ascended the
throne the spell was broken. and all the
elements which are working for reform
in Japan are insisting that the time has
gone by when an imperial rescript"
was sufficient for the organization OF 4
ministry or the running of the govern
ment. Katsura yielded his office, and his
surrender carries with 1t san implied
capitulation OF imperial authority.
Interesting as the situation in Japan
is when considered by itself, it is still
more SO when, We reflect that 1t is only
one of series of constitutional or po-
liticaI developments which in eight years
have worked actual changes in govern
mental authority, or contain the promise
of such change. Is there government
movement toward democracy? II there
IS not, there is a succession of coinci-
dences of the most peculiar character.
Beginning with the Cars decree OF
October. 1896, for the establishment of
the Douma, the series of events have
had the same tendency to. broaden popu-
lar power. In some instances there have
been frank acceptance of the publican
system, in others a working compromise
with monarchy has been accomplish
ed. but everywhere there has been les
sening of authority. The Douma is very
far from being an ideal national legisla
ture. but that Russia should have any
Parliament at all is a portentous fact.
DemocratiZing progress has been most
marked within the past three years.
Portugal expelled the monarchy and be-
came a republic in the autumn OF 1910.
A twelve-month later began the
Chinese revolution which drove the Man
cIus into exile and led 10 the establish
ment Of the Chinese republic.
Almost contemporaneous with the
downfall Of the Manchus was the col
lapse Of the DiaZ dictatorship in Mexico
before organized "constititionalism,"
which even now is struggling to keep
its head above the reactionary tide.
The revolt OF the Young Turks prom
sed better days. but really promoted
the partition of the Ottoman Empire by
those who feared that it would be re-
invigorated.
In the same category Of popular re-
forms may be Classed the struggle in
Great Britain which ended in the re-
duction OF the House OF Lords to
negligible body" the triumph of home
rule for Ireland. and the famous land
legislation engineered by Lloyd-George
of England, against the aristocratic
landlords
Germany. too. has felt the movement.
and has silently worked an abridgement
Of the Kaiser's prestige precipitated by
his loquacity.
The world movement has been no
great respecter of idols. as Laurier found
to his cost when the Canadian people
rose against reciprocity, and the neigh
borly advance being misinterpreted.
doubtless affected the votes of many
thousands OF Americans. in the cam
paign Of 1917
II takes two to make a quarrel, hut
the European situation still shows that
II takes more to insure peace. Russia,
Austria and Roumania for the present.
contribute each a quota to the unrests-
Any rash or selfish act may light the
torch tnat would set All Europe ao'aEe.
With the German-Britis fear" barely
a thing OF yesterday. France and Ger
many are suddenly paying an amount of
attention to their armies, which cannot
encourage Europe to be more hopeful OF
peace. The continental atmosphere. any
way, has been too heavily charged with
electricity for general comfort. Austria's
high-handed action in Bosnia three years
ago started Italy upon her no less high