Arizona republican., 1916-11-10

tend to act against the formation of two big parties which would wield great influence, as against the in fluence of numerous small groups and clans who have no broad political platform and who struggle for the coming into office of men, or repre- sentatives of clans, rather than of men as representing policies.
 Marquis Okuma frankly set forth the situation at a recent meeting of his personal supporters in the House of Representatives. He declared that not withstanding that Japans position has been considerably elevated in recent
 years, important questions relating to
 national defense, finance, economies and diplomacy have been comparative
 ly neglected. He added: Political groups. in collision with the bureau
 crats, have been busy contriving the advancement of selfish interests, un-
 regardful of the urgent needs of the
 state. The result has been derange
 ment of finance, dislocation of eco
 homie machinery, corruption of the administration, and destruction of To- carried so far that we have even seen a question so important as that of
 national defence made an object of political strife"
 As he conceived the situation there were two distinctive schools among Japanese politicians. One was Eng fish and the other German. The for mer favored the establishment of q party cabinet, but !mperfectly digest ed political Knowledge prevented the creation of desirable party govern ment. These politicians" he said. "dc not hesitate to call party cabi- ha merely dreamed for bureaucratic government, pure and simple. under he name of a stand aloof or unity" cabinet. He said these men
 orgot that the constitutional system If government in Japan was founded neither on the English or German plan. He contended that the powers tested in the Japanese diet are much more extensive than those of the German ReichStag. If Q government wishes to carry out a we'll balanced policy for the administration of the ,odntry." Ee continued, it will be necessary for it to enjoy the support )f the majority of the people. In other words. a government that en- 'ovs the confidence of the throne and the support of the nation will alone DC able to carry out a policy call culated. to promote the prosperity and happiness of the people,
 One reason. he insisted. why the ex;stings political groups had been brought into disrepute was that Jap anese of wealth and good social stand ing and influence had ignored them with the result that professional poli- iiciars had manipulated them un- checked for their own selfish pur- poses. He believed that his own cabi net, which contained more democratic elements than the previous. had par ially rectifieG the erroneous ideas or the people regarding political parties and he was firmly convinced that the lmalgamation of the three govern mental groups into one party would )e a great step toward progress
 The amalgamation recommended by Marquis Okuma would mean that the political forces of Japan would be di vided into the present governmental factions, Nnited under t name not yet selected, and the Seiyukai party, which has long existed as a powerful unit under the leadership of Kei Hara, former journalist and thrice minister for home affairs
 The House of Peers remains the enigma of the future. Many of its members have tenure for life and pre- fer to remain independent It is doubt full if any great number would openly join the two parties, and the Peers possess q powerful political arm in their right to reject a budget. The case of the Peers will doubtless be sim liar to the situation that existed in England.