Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-09-18
PREMIER OKUMA
HAS STRONG PLEA
FOR UNITED JAPAN

(Associated Press Correspondence
Toxic, Aug. 15-A plea for United
Japan in the present international
crisis was issued by Premier Count
Okuma yesterday at a reunion of the
Japanese press to which the foreign
correspondents were likewise invited
More than any statesman in modern
Japan Count Okuma sees power in
newspapers and newspapermen into
his confidence. That is the way he
adopts to reach the people, and Okuma
believes above all things that the day
has come in Japan when the people
must be talked to. He is ever striving
to find the pulse of the public.
This was the second time Premier
Okuma had spoken to journalists since
he decided to remain in office. His
object yesterday was to urge support
for the new ministry and to emphasize
the necessity of sacrifice for the well
fare of the nation.
"In Germany" he declared, I'VE have
an example of a nation that has shown
her power of national unity" He went
on: Her militarism is undesirable, but
the concerted effort of Germany con-
stitutes her strength. Japan is now in
volved in great international war,
which is affecting the politics and
thought of the whole world. Amidst
this great struggle, Japan must main
tain her position as a world Power.
In order to do this, we must unite our
efforts, and we need sound leadership"
The policies of the reconstructed
cabinet, the Premier said, would be
the same as the old. He was more
than ever convinced that it's policies
were sound and we'll adapted to the
needs Of the time. From the very
outset it had endeavored to effect re-
forms in home politics. Unfortunately.
as he thought, the manner in which
Japanese elections are held is not ideal.
This was due to the fact that the rep
resentative form Of government was
still new to the majority Of the peo-
pie.
The Premier continued: Happily
the spread Of modern education has
improved matters considerably, and
the nation is emerging from it's old
feudal ideas and usages. The strug-
gle for mere political domination is
petty. This is what some OF the Latin
American countries are doing. For the
sake of the common interests Of the
country. one must be prepared to sac
rifice private gains, and unite in con-
certed action"
Count Okuma said he wished to lay
emphasis on the truth that no social
factor was more powerful than the
press. Its leadership was indispensa-
BILE in any concerted action. He con-
cluded: I'VE want the assistance Of
the press in fulfilling our mission. We
welcome Straightforward criticism, and
il we find our politics are disapproved
by the general public. we cannot and
will not remain in Office" 10
The Doshikai party which holds the
majority of the governmental forces
in the House Of Representatives has
adopted a resolution pledging its
whole hearted support to the new
Okuma Ministry. The resolution was
proposed by Baron Kato, the ex-For-
eign Minister, who is the leader Of the
party.
The seiyukai, or opposition party
has pledged itself to hostility on the
ground that the Okuma Cabinet should
be held responsible for the bribery
scandal and on the ground that by the
withdrawal Of his resignation Count
Okuma has destroyed the fundarnert-
81 principles of the constitutional