The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-27
Elder Statesmen Still
Mghttest Ro1ver tn Japan
Four Veteran Statesmen Composing the Genro Exercise
Almost Absolute Power in Politics and Their Aid
Is Sought in All Great Commercial Undertakings.


The yolloctr0 s~~ttcle. desortb+nS the
functions Of the Elder Statesmen Of
Japan n the influence thsy Nave on the
present course Of politics N the ISIdnd
Empire, cos scvtttew for THE Sun BY q
japanese VAo hos special sources Of IN
formation Regarding political matters.
aud u IN o position to speak toXh Nigh
auth ortty.
Special Correspondence 70 T.s Svs.
TOXIC, June l.-6enro or Elder States
men 10 q name given TO the group Of old
statesmen who served the Mikado and
the State during nifty years without in
PERMISSION In important posts. All OF
them are men Of patriotic sentiment, Of
original genius and OF an enterprising
spirit. Their abilities are precisely those
which keep mon long In power. No arts
could shake the confidence which the late
great Emperor reposed in his old and
trusted servants. Their bodily strength
and Unborn energy have enabled them to
survive all he.r early coadJutoW and
rivals. Their lives have been common
surats with one OF the most important
periods IN the history Of Japan. They
have lived to see that great restoration
Of imperial power complete. and to see
this country rise from an insignificant
Oriental State TO q first claes Power.
The influence which these statesmen
command in Japanese politics Is far
stronger n their popularity 10 . little
greater than 10 usually admitted by the
yellow" apers. whose sole 4 10 to
oppose bureaucratic Caoinets and court
public opinion.
There are stni four 0enro alive in
Ia pan. each Of then welding enormous
influence. They are Prince Marshal "a
magats. Marquis Inouye. Marquis Nat
sugata and Prince Marshal OyaIna- OF
these four. Marshal Oyama 10 nc po-
litically connected with japanese state
craft. He IL Q simple warrior renowned
for the great services he has rendered
10 the State as the highest field com
mander OF the japanese army in the
Chino-Japanese war and the Russo
Japanese war His political isolation has
saved him from being the target Of press
attacks. He Is not a statesman but q
| man born for command. He has every
| quality required In "a hero OF the Oriental
type, unfathornsbie, deep. bold. com
posed, strong nerved, calm and tranquil
in face OF tho gravest situation. His
nature - ftly represented by his name
| oyama Iwao (BiS Mountain Rock)
There 10 a great likeness between him
and Admiral Togo, both of the same
Satsuma clan.
Yanagata the Leader
Prince Marshal Yamasata, the presi-
lent of the Privy Council. belonging to
the great military clan OF Choshu, Is
the most influential general and states
man OF Japan. His influence in army
circles Is unparalleled, second only to
that Of the Emperor himself. The army
and all connected with Il are at his free
disposal within the limit OF tho laws
and the Constitution. The Minister NJ
, War bears the same relation to him as
tho chief OF a branch office bears TO the
chief director OF an important firm
This circumstance places IN his grasp
the hole Ministry. No one could be-
come "A Minister Of Wal without oh
tanning ~Yamagata's assent. When three
years ago the second Sa,onji Cabinet
went on the rocks OF the two divisions
bill. obstInately insisted upon by war
Minister Uehara. the latter was believed
to have acted In pursuance Of private
instructions OF Marshal ~Yamagata, or
whum consequently the ultimate re-
sponsib'l'ty OF the Cabinet destruction
was placed. II failure of Visooun,
Kiyoura, nominated by tho Emperor &c
form a Cabinet after the fall of the
Yamamoto Cabinet. which succeeded the
Satonti Ministry. Ia duo 70 the objection
OF Prince f~amagata 10 let Vlscount Ki-
youra tske tho helm OF state.
stood for "Open Door"
Next comes Marquis Inouye, who Ia
outlived his v'gor OF body, but not o.
mind, He Is also from the Choshu elan,
In Restoration days his stand In favor
OF the open door caused him to be at.
tackled one night outside his house. and