Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-12
JAPANESE take KINDLY
TO WESTERN CUSTOMS
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence

ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
Toxic, June l-That the japanese
adopt western customs with extraord-
mary rapidity was strikingly shown
in the special session of the Diet just
concluded. The way the opposition
groups joined forces to ''heckle" the
government would have satisfied the
most practical of politicians in the
United States or Europe. The violent
disorder which marked the sessions
exceeded anything in the American
Congress and very nearly approached
that sometimes manifested in the
French Chamber of Deputies.
The dominating figure Of the ses-
sion was the new speaker, Saburo
as the Wendell Phillips of Japan. but
who is becoming known. also, as the
Tom Reed of Japanese parliamenta-
rism-Phillips. because of his lofty
ideals and high citizenship; Reed,
because of his powerful personality in
the House Of Representatives. Though
Of slighter build, there is something of
personal resemblance between Reed
and Shimada- the passionless face
and heavy jowl; while the absolute
indifference TO parliamentary attack
and the Czar-like method Of making
decision and holding to it establishes
the parliamentary sinilitude.
The opposition went about harassing
| the cabinet in a manner which showed
I, the hand Of the veteran legislator used
to all the parliamentary tactics from
| flibustering downward and upward.
When their resolutions condemning
the cabinet for absolute failure in the
negotiations with China ended in de-
! feat they combined their attack on
| Niscount Oura. the home minister and
charged him with taking a bride of
| 10000 men to help elect member of
/ the House Of Representatives. They
! have previously filed a suit in the
courts in which the minister's name
was mentioned and thereby furnished
a basis for the parliamentary memo
rial. Niscount Oura denied the accu-
I sation and the resolution was lost, but
the incident served 10 bring out some
| interesting side-lights on how Japa-
nese elections are conducted. The
money was given, it seems. to a politi-
| cal club. in some cases as present TO
! the boys and in others for 'legiti-
mate services rendered. The man
| who gave the money was elected. but
/ he had been promised that his oppo-
nent would be induced to withdraw all
together. But the opponent remained
/ in the contest and the contributor was
dissatisfied.
After that. the opposition combined
! forces in charging the government
I..f- he al
ton and securing the election of its
I own partisans They showed their
dislike TO a firm ruling by Shimada
by rushing in a body 70 the speakers
chair and threatening him. When
Shimada ordered the guards TO shut
and lock the doors, they rushed
through the guards and escaped-not
70 come back The few who remained
refused TO vote. The resolution was
supported by only three votes.
| This did ro- bring the minority 70
! the end Of their program. The last
card thrown vas resolution i'm
peaching speaker Sntrada for inca
pacity and partially" Mr. Shimada
/ left his SET went Gcwn TO the floor.
! and said: "Ge1-!eElen. what you say
! is not true"-t,en calmly returned to
his place as presiding officer. This
! simple speech SO astounded the oppo-
sition tiat they ceased their shouts
and groans and started al Mr.. Shi-
| mazda. That was the end and the leg
! :s!a1ors went home.
| The press, on the whole. agrees with
the remark Of the opposition that the
| session was characterized by disorder
! the worst since me establishment OF
| parliament" but il docs not blame
Speaker Shimada SO much as the
! members Of the House themselves.
! Mr.. Shimada regrets the noise. but
points out that the session accom-
plished much including the increase OF
! Two divisions of the army. the rep!e-
! ton of the navy and other things i
admit" he said. that the scenes OF
disorder have been due 10 my lack
of parliamentary knowledge and expe-
rience. But intend to study and next
! session shall 90 better. | hope the
better elements will triumph and that
! next time we shall have peace.
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