The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-09-18
PLEA ADVANCED
FOR UNITED JAPAN
Premier Count Okuma Refers to Ger
many as Showing the Power of
National Unity-He Com
mends Japanese
Press.

Toxic, Sept. ls.A plea for united
Japan in the present international crisis
was issued by Premier Count Okuma
Tuesday at a reunion of the japanese
press to which the foreign correspond
ents were likewise invited. More than
any statesmen in modern Japan, Count
Okuma sees power in the press. He
is constantly taking newspapers and
newspapermen into his confidence. That
is the way he adopts to reach the peo'
pie. and Okuma believes above all things
that the day has come in Japan when
the people must be talked to. He is
ever striving to find the pulse of the
public.
This was the second times Premier
0kuma had spoken to journalists since
he decided to remain in office. His object
Tuesday was to urge support for the
new ministry and to emphasize the ne
cessity of sacrifice for the welfare of
the nation.
an Germany" he declared, eve have
an example of a nation that has shown
her power OF national unity" He went
on: "IIer militarism is undesirable, but
the concerted effort of Germany constl-
tutes her strength. Japan is now in
volved in great international war,
which is affecting the politics and
thought of the whole world. Amidst
this great struggle, Japan must main
tain her position as a world power. In
order to 10 this, we must unite our ef-
forts, and we need sound leadership"
The policies of the reconstructed cab
met, the premier said, would be the
same as the Did. He was more than
ever convinced that its policies were
sound and well adopted to the needs of
the time. From the very outset it had
endeavored to effect reforms in home
politics. Unfortunately, as he thought,
the manner in which japanese elections
are held is not ideal. This was due TO
the fact that the representative form
of government was still new to the ma
jority of the people.
The premier continued: Happily the
spread of modern education has i'm
proved matters considerably, and the ma
ton is emerging from its old feudal
ideas and usages. The struggle for
ultit puAlitdt dVhiihdNivh 10 FNtSfs Ahao
Is what some of the Latin. American
countries are doing. For the sake Of
the common interests OF the country,
one must be prepared to sacrifice pri-
waite gains, and unite in concerted ac-
tion."
Count Okuma said he wished to lay
emphasis on the truth that no social
factor was more powerful than the
press. Its leadership was indispensable
in any concerted action. He concluded;
'We want the assistance of the press in
our mission. We welcome
Straightforward criticism, and II we find
our politics are disapproyed by the gen
eral public. we cannot and viii not re-
main in Office"
The DoGhika party, which holds the
Of the governmental forces in
the House Of Representatives has adopt |
"a resolution pledgiug its whole heart
ID support 20 the new Okuma ministry. |
The resolution was proposed by Baron |
Kato, the cx-foreign minister, who is
The leader Of the party.
The Seiyukai, or opposition party, has |
pledged itself 20 hostility on The ground /
hat the Olyuma cabinet should be held /
responsible for the bribery scandal and 1
IN the ground that by the withdrawal |
II his resignation Count Okuma 'has 4
destroyed the fundamental principles Of 4
he constitution"