The Washington times., 1915-04-21

scutely from other causes, II might have
q far-reaching effect on the whole Tar
eastern situation. That fact Is wen
recognized by the Okuma ministry, but
| Its bearing upon the negotiations re-
mains to be disclosed.
A general election in japan does not
mean anything like general election
| In the United States, so far as voting
goes. The franchise is so restricted
| through property and other qualifica-
go, 900 the voters number only. about
| 1,450.00O.
Right of Suffrage.
Despite the fact that the right OF suf-
frage is comparatively new in Japan. II
is already neglected by a considerable
portion of those who have II. just as
1t is neglected in the United States.
| About 10 per cent Of the franchise
holderst failed to register their choice
party organization and party discipline
| Is In part responsible for this.
| Many men Of high qualification as
electors voted for candidates whom they
did not know or care about simply be-
cause this or that person asked them
to do so. One man who has held high
position in the diplomatic service, and
has served in the embassy at Washing.
ton. told me he voted as he was re.
| uuested to do by the widow OF his old
|
| sonal
The campaign. however. was hotly
| made. Candidates flew all over the
country. and in many cases the women
entered heartily into the fight. In dis
trct after district house-to-house can
vases were made, and every voter was
importuned for support by one or moro
of the candidates On election day run.
ners were employed to seek out the indi
vidual voters at their homes or places
of business and Urge them to go to the
polls.
At the polling places booths were SCI
up by ull the candidates labeled REST,
ing place for the voters of Mr.. So-and
So" as the case might be. There were
no party booths-all were individual ant
personal
1t is against the law to treat" vote,
In behalf Of any candidate. but no
against the law to have place where
he may rest from his. arduous labors o.
making out his ballot. If he happens tt
get a drink or a smoke at one OF these
resting places. that is purely incidental
Rich Mans Game.
The business of buying votes Is no
entirely neglected IN Japan. however
and agents of the police were active al
over the country trying TO prevent suci
things. Already there are several hun
dred arrests on such charges.
|
government furnishes slips OF paper OF
which the voters write the names o
their candidates. when the polls ar
closed the ballot boxes are sealed III
ard not opened until the next dav. s.
no official information az to results )
obtained for somel time after the elec
} ton. But close tAb Is kent on the va
rious resting places so that an approx
, mate estimate is always had soon. AM
Official results come in the next day
There is no law for publicity of cam
} paign contributions or expenditures, an
. no limit on tho sums a candidate ma
expend Elections arc costly affairs. an
many candidates spend from $4,000 L
, $4,000 on their campaigns. Some o
them have spent SO.G)o or more
,, 1t is almost exclusively rich man
game. The government campaign tht
, time was extremely expe nsive. owing I
! the great number of pamphlets sent ou
and to the free use of tho telegraph b
Count Oluma and Baron kato. The
sent literally many thousands of per
, | sonal messages.
The next thing is to determine ~ha
the result will be as far as government
policy is concerned.
= Copyright. 1915. bv the Chicago Tri
bune.)