The sun., 1916-11-03
COUNT TERAUCH,S ACCESSION TO
POWER IN JAPAN A REAC.
HONARY TRIUMPH.
Nevertheless II Does Not Follow That . Change Of Policy in Chin.s
Relations Is Contemplated.

The political crisis in Japan has
ended in a striking triumph for re-
action, instead OF in the victory for
constitutionalism which seemed al
most won. Field Marshal Terauchi has
been commanded to form a Govern
Terauchi heads no party and despises
all parties. He has had no experience
In politics other than the politics Of
personal rule. lie Is forming his Cabi-
net out Of the Choshu, or military clan,
in which he Is the most prominent
figure: the Satsuma, or navy clan.
which shows a tendency to ally with
the military people in face of the poll
ticians. and a few ex-Ministers who
profess no higher creed than oppor-
tunism. He Is personally unknown to
the great majority OF members Of the
Hous OF Representatives and has no
following there. lie is appointed over
the head OF Niscount kato, the leader
OF the strongest party in the Diet and
Oku'na's right hand nan eve since
the Okuma Cabinet was formed.
So far as can be seen the change OF
Government Involves no change Of
policies worth mentioning. 1t is merely
the overturn OF q liberal" Ministry
and the installation of n reactionary
Ministry by the act OF four venerable
men called the Elder Statesmen. who
represent the unseen influences of
feudalism. These influences still play
the leading part in the politics of
Japan.
The whole transaction Is n political
riddle to the Western mind. and it's
interest Is mainly as an unusually
clear cut example of the immaturity
of Japanese political institutions. The
Okuma Ministry had all the sanctions
required Of Governments in democratic
countries. Called into existence in a
crisis. II faced the music" Of n general
election and got the support of an
overwhelming majority of the voters.
IL had no more trouble and caused no
more criticism than the average sue
cessful Ministry. Its programme was
scarcely begun. The most popular
plank. reduction of taxes, was un-
touched, and IL had made no mistakes
OF consequence. The earlier stage of
Its Chinese policy. when Baron Kato
presented the notorious twenty-one
demands. was open to attack. but the
ne; result vas n substantial enhance
mcnt Of Japan's position in the Orient.
The later Chinese policy is criticised,
hut no alternative has been nut for
ward. The conclusion of the Russian
alliance was a distinct success. Abso-
lutely no difference of opinion exists
IL, yng,...a,llA -.fx-
ticipation in the European war. The
General Star, which for a long time
anticipated n draw. has come To the
conclusion that Germany's defeat is
only a matter OF time. The Ministry.
In a word. was doing all right, and
there was absolutely no visible reason
why 1t should not continue in Office
until the electors became tired Of it.
No explanation of the fall Of the
Okuma Ministry is to be folsnd in the
principles of representative govern
ment, II still less do these principles
account for the appointment Of its
successor. Amid much obscure per-
sonal politics the issue had at last be-
come clear u between TerauChi. rep-
~resenting the bureaucrats. and Kato.
whose claim was based on his position
as head OF the strongest party in
Parliament n as. mex 10 Okuma. the
biggest figure on that side of politics
The whole struggle was one between
the old system ana the modern. be-
tween parliamentary rights on the one
hand and clan influence on the other.
The earlier stages have been already
dcscrlhed-how Terauchi got his
chance in June II did not make good
ana how the supporters of the Gov
eminent then set about Unirying their
forces until last week they formed one
party with Il clear majority Of IN,
whole House. TIL" last act came ou
October i, when Count okuma pro.
c.ed"d t" the palace and handed his
resignation II tn" Emperor. together
with Il formal recommendation that
Niscount kato should be- commanded