The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-20
JAPANESE RIOTS
NOT OPPOSITION
TO GOVERNMENT
Is Economic Conditions
Caused by Wealth
VS.. Poverty.
w AR PROSPERITY
Serious Problem Con-
fronts Country With
Food Commission
acing People.
w AR PROSPERITY

Washington, Aug. 19.--The Japa-
nese embassy today received official
notification of the food riots
and accom- panylng disorders reported
throughout Japan.
On the contrary. state depart
mcnt and other officials believe
Them to be purely economic, and,
therefore, not attributable TO that
small faction In japanese poiiti-
TAI life which opposed the send
ing of troops TO siberia. The stu
alton Ii serious. and observers OF
japanese affairs think the gov
eminent Is face to face with the
gras.~st internal economic prob
lem I'm the nations history.
Japan. they point out, Is experience
ing the aftermath OF war prosperity
and all the resulting evils Of great
wealth and great poverty. Three ways
are open for her in the solution OF
this problem. and these. il is be
lieved in official circles, are the fol-
lowing;
i, The government, through the an
nounced appropriation of $4,000, 600
and the rnfkado's gift of 100000 yen.
to so into the open market and pur-
chase rice for the purpose of break
ing the corner that has brought the
suffering.
2 Formation of food commission
shaped on the lines of the American
food administration with absolute
price fixing powers.
3. A taxation program that will
reach the "narikins the war mil
lionaires of the island kingdom---and
thus make them bear their proper
tionate share OF the nations burdens,
Price of Rice Increases.
The price of rice in Japan has in
creased fifty per cent in the last year.
The last two months saw an even
greater increase. There was a surplus
crop this year IN addition, but the
profteers have great quantities of the
cereal stored and in this manner have
kept up the price.
IL the Japanese government sees
fit TO break the market 1t can pur-
chase rice in Cochin. China. Burma
and the Philippines, providing per-
mission 10 seek the latter market is
given by the United States
The present regulations include
food on the restricted list, but this
ban would no doubt be removed If AT
emergency existed in Japan.
Up 10 two months ago, however
when the Japan government forbade
further expectation OF rice. great ship
ments were received in this country
&lOSt Oi kifEBI, 1Ge 70 our tkoA~ ppuuC
import restrictions, were landed at q
Pacific port and shipped In bond Il
the gulf coast for shipment to the
West Indies, then Japan's market
We allowed this method of shipment
in order to conserve tonnage for the
Japanese government.
Coping With Conditions
One reason advanced today in Japa-
nese circles to offset the report thai
the Terauchi cabinet was near a fall
because of the riots was the recen,
embarkation of Japanese troops te
Siberia. This fact alone. il was said
will give the present government ar
opportunity of coping with present
internal conditions instead OF facins
the immediate results of a hostile PEG
pie, who. under normal circumstances
would shunt the offending" govern
ment into the discard. The Terauch
government is expected. however. t.
take action in the case of the people
against the narikins. The latter. al
of whom have become rich since thu
start of the war. have kept on gettins
so much richer that the governm ent I
taxation program has not been abb,
to keep up with them They have
been riding around in luxury durini
the present food shortage and natur
ally have infiamed the populace. TIT