The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-14
OkCMA As PREMIER.
The Budget and the Russian Menace VIII
Tax HIS Energies TO the Utmost.

Tax HIS Energies TO the Utmost.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir. In
Honolulu paper Of April 30 ! md
quoted at large an editorial article from
THE SUN OF April II on tho accession
OF Count Okuma to the Premiership OF
Japan. / venture 10 suggest that some
considerations recognized as important
both by the Japanese and foreign press
In Japan. and which are matters Of
everyday comment In Yokohama and
Kobe. have been overlooked. Whatever the
passionate warnings OF Count Okuma.
however much OF an admirer of Thomas
Jefferson he may be In theory. there Is
no such thing as popular government In
japan. The destiny OF the nation still
remains with the powerful clans and the
oligarchy of aristocrats.
Profound. progressive and powerful
though the new Premier may be. 1t will
be impossible for him to Influence legs-
lation save through existing channels.
The dominant political party In the lower
house dominant. that is, In point OF
numbers) is cajoled with Cabinet port
folios into agreement with the policies
OF the Premier. who IL appointed by the
Emperor. Thus. In the last Diet. they
approved the budget including the ex-
travagant naval expenditures, an Item
by the way extremely unpopular with the
public. who. II tho press In TO be be-
licved. insist on retrenchment and de-
creased taxes. but the House OF Peers
vetoed their action as result OF the
opposition OF the powerful army clan,
and thereupon the Diet was dissolved.
Under an imperial ordinance having the
full force of law the Secretary OF the
Navy must be an Admiral and the Secre-
tary OF War a General Kiyoura, who
Immediately preceded Okuma as Premier.
was unable to form q Cabinet because OF
an agreement among the Admirsls TO
reftfaa he ,aya1 qecretaryshin unlesa the
naval expenditures were agreed to. In
the same way In 1912 the second SaiontI
Ministry came to grief because the clans
could not agree on tho expenditures for
the army. and the eligible Generals re-
fused to enter tho Cabinet unless the
appropriations were inserted. Hence II
Okuma succeeds II will be, not because
Of his imprisoned democracy. but because
In some way he is able to reconcile the
conflicting claims of the army and navy
extortiOners.
The Government is still under the con-
trof Of the two powerful clans, on. favor
ing the navy and the other the army.
Between them there II a race for appro-
prfations. the navy demanding battleships,
the army insisting on two more divisions
In Corea. Finance is outside the military
scheme OF education and how the in
creased armament Ia TO be paid for
never worries Admirals or Generals. but
finance knows that Japan faces bank.
ruptcy in short order unless she gives up
her ambitious programme for military and
naval expansion. She simply hasn't the
wherewithal to pay the bills. The Japa-
nese treasury is in a deplorable condition.
For a number Of years her annual revc-
nue. showed a surplus over expenditures,
but IL vas at the expense OF her capital.
Her Chinese indemnity, the sum paid by
the Russians for the care OF prisoners
during tho war, the so-called special war
fund and the proceeds Of nearly ESQ.,
600. 900 yen Of Government bonds. have all
been absorbed in taking care of her ey-
pendtures from year to year Her ma
tional debt stands at o0O.0Oo.OUO yen.
The balance Of trade is against her by
nearly 100000. 900 yen year. Payment
OF interest on bonds held abroad and the
PURCHASE in Europe OF naval supplies alb
sorb about as much more. Her so-called
sinking fund Is deficit. Her diminish
ing gold reserve will disappear IN two or
three years unless foreign bond buyers
come to the rescue.
There is universal s,a=na;ion in bust
ness. one hears Of 80. zoe tons OF steel
purchased abroad that remains unpaid for
by the consignees. Enormous amounts Of
debentures of so-callcd Industrial and ag-
ricultural banks have been worked III
among the people by scheme of re
demption by drawings with premiums
added. a lottery scheme that would he
prohibited in most civilized countries The
burden OF taxation Is beyond belief. To
add to her difficulties Japan Is beset by
fear OF Russia, which has now fully re-
covered from the effects OF the war, i
decidedly beilicosc in her utterauces and
has OF late turned cold shoulder 10 the
friendly overtures Of her lat" foe and
would-be present ally. II Count ol<uma
is Jeyersonian democrat. taking his cue
from the voice az the people. he will haVe
10 go In for retrenchmsnt, not expansion.
There is "A naval scandal much discussed
at the present tim. involving officers
high In rank accused % receiving hrihCS
in the shape Of commissions from the
foreign contractors. and there is much
Pronunciation OF the army and navy de-
mands in the native press.
The people are tired Of being governed
by the army and navy cliques. The
universities are turning out thousands
81 young men who are unable 10 find EN-
pioynent either IN the civil service or in
commercial undertakings. and these are
enthusiastic preachers OF democracy and
strong factors In the spread Of unrest
and protest against aristocrat!c rule. No
American who Is not hysterical need be
frightened by the japanese bugaboo,
Russia and the budget will keep Count
Okuma extremely busy.
Honolulu, May .