The farmer and mechanic., 1915-09-14
JAPANESE VISCOUNT TO DIVEST
SELF OF ALL TITLES AND HONORS
Secusion Probably For Rest Of His Life To Be Fate Of Home
Minister Kanetake Oura As Result OF CABINET Bribery
Scandal
CBy the Associated Press.>


Toxic. Sept. Ito divest himself
of all titles and honors to retire into
seclusion probably for the rest of his
life, is the punishment that has fall
len on Viscount kanetake Oura, home
minister in the Okuma cabinet,
whose connection with the parliamen-
tary bribery scandal led to the resig
nation of the Okuma ministry. The
lot of NiSCount Oura is typically rep
resentative of that which befalls one
of distinction in Japan whose acts
have caused national scandal.
In addition to reSigning his port
folio in tie cabinet and hiss eat in
the House of Peers, Viscount Oura
has Withdrawn from all public asSo-
Citations and activities, including his
leadership in the governmental Dos
hikai group and has even transferred
his title to his heir. He is expected
to pass the remainder Of his days in
obsCurity. His fall is all the greater
when il is borne in mind that as
home minister he would have been a
leading figure in the great corona
ton festivities in November, and for
his services would have been granted
enviable honors subsequent to the
coronation.
Viscount Oura has occupied a fore
most position on the political stage of
y
bodies Il rise from humble circum
stances to great honors by capacity
and energy. He began as a sergeant
in the Toxic police forces when the
modern police system was inau-
gurated in 1871. He rose rapidly
until, resigninG his post, he entered
the army and took part in the For
mosan expedition in 1874. He later
was engaged in the Satsuma rebel
lion. After holding as uccession Of
civil Offices he became governor of
various prefeCtures, and in 1899 was
appointed to the important post of
superintendent-gen of police. Two
years later he was recognized as a
ministerial timber and became minis
ter of communications in the Kat
sura cabinet. Ii was about this time
that the title of viscount was con-
ferred upon him.
He became very active as a sup
porter of Prince Katsura in the for
nation and extension of influence OF
the Doshikai party, the leadership OF
which he shared with Baron kato
minister for foreign affairs.
ViScount Oura is known to many
people in Great Britain in consequence
of his visit there in 1910 as presiden
of the Anglo-Japanese exhibition
While in Europe he made an inves
tiSation of the reputation of Japanes
merchants abroad. 1t is recalled
that upon his return to Japan he de
livered some very caustic criticism t
japanese merchants concerning thei
commercial morality and urged al
Immediate reform.
If the political crisis created b
the resignation of the Okuma cabine
shows the extent Of political intrigu
in Japan and has shocked Japanes
because of the revelation of bribery
II has at the same time been an aSSo
citation Of considerable rejoicing
This is due to the fact that the ir
dependence of the Japanese judiciar
hes been established in Il way to sat
isfy the most eXaCting. 1t is pointe
out that had the Okuma cabinet NJ
been honest it might have used il
influence TO smother the judicial il
quiry into the bribery scandal How
ever, despite the fact that the inve!
tigation must inevitably lead to tt
collapse Of the ministry. the inQuil
under the direction Of Mr.. OZaki tt
minister of justice, was pushed on
the ned
The Jap&nosc press finds great col
ISOLATION in this proof Of the fact th
the judiciary is independent and fire
1t is regarded as the saving feature
the situation and SO lcthinG that e
titles Japan to the ,espect Of foreis
peoples.