The Washington times., 1915-04-21

chimes of convenience for support OF GER
tain men and opposition to certain
others.
Government IS Of men and not OF
parties. plGtfcrms are put out by the
traders. and are not worked out by
the general assCmblage of reprcsen-
tatives OF the party N convention.
There is o small beginning OF party
the three or four different groups
that together constitute the govern
ment supporters in parliament are
increasing Their demand for strict
party government.
1t Is apparent that before long there
will come a true division of parties
on principle and the principle on
which tho division will come Is al
ready showing itself in the demand
of some of the parties for govern
and, therefore. to the people. as is
the case in England.
Direction of System.
At present the government is RESPONSE
BILE only to the throne But inasmuch
as the government Is organized by the
/ genro, or elder statesmen. and partict.
| patton by the throne is merely nominal
the recommendation of the genro be
| ing always accepted, cabinets are really
! bureaucratic.
| It Is not necessarily incumbent upon q
+ ministry that has met defeat in the die,
, to resign, and cabinet may continue
to resist the adverse action Of parlia
1nent and remain in power.
, 1t Is curious evidence of the laCl
; of principle underlying party organiza
! tion in japan that the party of chief op
: position 10 the present government-tht
! Sciyukai-!% the one which stands mos
! 0toutly f1r the present system Of cabinc
! responsibility to the throne instead O.
! to the parliament.
! And the government is headed toward
direct responsibility. Count Okuma, tn.
: premier. is known as the first progress
, i've Ui Japan. and several years agt
formed what was then called the pro
gressive party.
! 1T went the way Of other progressiv.
| parties. some of which were not organ
! ized in Japan, but its founder an,
leader Is still described as a progressive
party. but declares himself for the prin
ciple OF constitutional government" a
against the bureaucracy OF the Selyukai
Genuine Party Government.
This constitutional government" i
taken to mean direct responsibility bu
! its fondest advocates do not expect {
| see any definite action to secure such
; system for q long time yet. They ar
striving first to secure the establish
ment of genuine party government. an
they recognize the fact that the situa
ton Is so chaotic that 1t Will requir
years before this first step in the grea
reform can be taken.
Z An evidence OF this chaotic situatio
is found in the fact that already som
of the men prominent in the Seiyuka
are intmating that 1t might be n goo
thing for their party to effect an all
ance with the Okuma supporters Tha
Is a frank admission that it Is not
question of principle with them, bu
merely desire to hold power through tn
government.
Another evidence of the same thing
found in the situation OF the Kokumin
to, the party of Oposition next in In
fiuence to the SeiYukai. In theor
Kokumin-to should be found in suppor
of Count Okuma. II wns organize
by his friends. and he has himself bee
with /: at times. 1t has come into OF
position now on grounds purely per
sonal and of minor Importance.
Still other evidences are furnished b
|