The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-18

but in the present instance it was an nounced that the Emperor himself had intervened and voiced his wish that the premier remain.
 This is a most unusual step in Ja- panese national life. Heretofore the Throne has left political matters to the genro, the idea being that the po- 1itical life of the empire was not7to be intrenched upon the, ruler. It is very delicate point; imperial pre- ference for any one cabinet has al most always been scrupu1ously avoid ed.
 It was the exception made to this usage at the time of the third Kat sura Cabinet that caused the riot which finally resulted i'm the fall of the cabinet after. only a. few months of existence. The opposition raised at that time was based upon the ne- eesssfty of Keeping the Throne from be- ing involved in political disputes.
 The imperial message gwen to Mar quis Saionji to use his influ9nce to make the Seiyukai members support. the government raised a storm of ir- dignation which eliminated in a riot, causing loss of life and property. The Katsura cabinet was obliged to re- sign and the Yamamoto ministry came into power.
 The semi official statements to the effect that the Throne did not wish
 
 government is criticised not only by opposition politicians but also by some who belong to no party. For this departure from established us-= age both the government and the elder statesmen are held responsible. There is already some opposition among the Privy Councillors in this respect. The matter will no doubt constitute ques- ton in the House of Peers in the winter session of the Diet. if the new ly constructed cabinet be still in of flee. The conclusion. of these critics is that the OIurna cabinet is actu- ally sitting on a volcano.
 Count Okuma has no fears as to his position When he had built his new cabinet he gathered the Japanese. newspaper men about him and told them that there were two reasons why he changed his mind and remained in office with a reconstructed ministry. He said:-
 zone is the political circumstances, both internal and external, which do not permit of ministerial change at this moment and the other is the gracious order of His Majesty that T continue my service. The war in Flu rope is still in progress and its state is such that no one can tell when it will terminate. While Japan is not actually engaged, she is one of the belligerents. Needless to say, the diff ficulty of our diplomatic dealings from nov till peace is restored in Europe VIII be great.
 .'Ih spite Of adverse criticism in some quarters I do not see why our recent negotiations with China should be called a failure. I believe the people share this view of mine and of my col leagues.
 #.PThe Cabinet has adhered to the policy of not borrowing money for financial necessities and has endeav- ored to root out all the evils arising from the borrowing policylas followed by ministries in the past believe this financial policy of the govern proved by the majority of the people,
 The premier expressed sympathy for Viscount Oura, the home minister, who resigned because of the bribery affair He did not want to uphold viscount Oura, but he did think his motive was pure, and that he committed his blum der in order to destroy the, evil inf1u- ence of a big political party.
 In conclusion Count Okuma declared he firmly believed his cabinet enjoyed the confidence of the people. Some theorists were denouncing his act as against the principles of conStitution- alisn but he had decided to stay under a strong moral conviction which he deemed higher than abstract theory of constitutionalism. He said: f'I be- lieve those who grasp the political cir cumstances of this country internal and external, will approve my act.''
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