The evening leader., 1918-07-24
JAPAN STANDS FOR FREEDOM
lBy Patrick GaIIagher.l

oSotSS SOFC1AiAitS4ib OOttSC% H4Ai6 "e'-
policies and measures affecting the
Far East is finding strong and gener-
al support in Japan. The Japanese
newspapers and periodicals give much
space to quotations from the. pro-
nouncements of President Wilson and
American patriotic editorials.
The fulfllment of the war aims Of
England and America is the surest
and quickest way Of bringing about
lasting peace in the world" declares
DR.. Sakuzzo Yoshino, an influential
member of the faculty of Tokyo Impe-
rial university. 1T is an effort for
the establishment of international JUS
tice on a firm foundation; and Japan.
should do all within her power to aid
it. This war is now a struggle for
justice and law. The question of prin-
ciple must be put above that of self
interest, as only in this way can sure
foundations of peace be laid.
Japan and Democracy.
War speeches in Japan reveal the in
tense interest in the spread of democ-
racy manifested by japanese of all
parties. To be sure, this is nothing
new; but only those who carry in their
minds personal recollections Of the
stormy days of the first meetings of
the diet when modern democracy was
cutting its wisdom teeth in Japan, a
quarter of century ago, can grasp
the full measure of the promise con-
tanned in the speeches and acts of to-
day. Respect for party opinion is no
longer a mere matter of expediency.
It is recognized by the emperor and
his war cabinet as a fundamental
force for good government. The old
genro, or council of elder statesmen,
has given place to coalition council
which conserves the wisdom of age
and experience while it acknowledges
the value of party opinion in the diet.
Party leaders in Japan are not rubber
stamps. They have already more than
realized the hopes of Prince Ito and
Prince Katsura and the other great
figures of more difficult days when the
Meiji emperor was shaping the course
of imperial reform.
Mr.. k. Tanaka is a member of the
Seiyukai, the oldest and the strongest
politicaksparty in Japan In the diet
recently Mr.. Tanaka discussed Japan's
interest in democracy, with special
Preference to the war and current
events in Russia and other countries.
9The stability of national ideas is one
of the chief factors ia deciding a ma
ttion's destiny said this japanese
member of parliament on the floor of
the house. "The downfall of the Man
chu dynasty in China and of the Ro-
manoff dynasty in Russia contains a
warning that demands attention.
| The Fall of Russia.
"The fall of the imperial govern
ment in Russia has been attributed by
certain Japanese statesmen to the
spread of democratic and socialistic
ideas, whereas anyone with an accu-
rate knowledge of Russian affairs
must know that the overthrow of the
Imonarchial regime was due to the op-
pressive rule of bureaucrats and mill
tarists in defiance of popular wishes.
When nations ideas are rendered
unsound by the maladministration Of
unscrupulous statesmen, even SO
strong nation as Russia goes to piec-
es in remarkably short space of
time"
Mr.. Tanaka affirmed that there are
no dangerous democratic ideas among
the 60,000,o00 people of Japan.
F"True," he said, democratic ideas are
growing, but they are sound and loyal
ideas. Dangerous ideas are not engen-
desed by d2mocracy b. by the OPP
1pressions of bureaucracy Japanese
jcivilization has been democratic from
tits foundation; and, in advancing pop
ular principles Of government, Japan
ese democrats are only showing their
loyalty to the older and more tested
principles of their civilization. From
the commencement of the empire the
tstate administration was conducted
with becoming respect to the will OF
the people. The bureaucrats and mil
itar5sts of feudal days defed this
principle and brought about their own
downfall Under the circumstances. il
is the duty Of al japanese to advocate
lmost earnestly a greater respect for
democracy rather than to warn the
public against supposed democratic
dangers"