Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-07-27
JAPAN FOR FREEDOM.
Interest Manifested by All Parties IN
Nippon Over Spread of Democracy.
Japanese Statesmen Explain Cause
of Overthrow of Russia.
Bv Patrick Gallagher

States Government concerning war
no,icies and measures affecting the
Far East is finding strong and general
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.. Sakuzoo YoaliAo, an influential
member of the faculty of Tokyo I'm
perial University. at is an effort for
the establishment of international JUS
tice on firm foundation; and Japan
should do all within her power to aid
it. This war is now struggle for
Justice and law. The question Of
principle 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
intense interest in the spread of de-
mocracy manifested by japanese of
all parties. To be sure this is moth
ing 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,
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.
1t is recognized by the emperor and
his war cabinet as fundamental
force for good government. The old
senro, or council OF elder statesmen:
has given place to a 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.. X. Tanaka is member Of the
seiyukai, the oldest and the strongest
political partyiin Japan. In the Diet
recently Mr.. Tanaka discussed ia
rams interest. in democracy, with spe-
cial reference to the war and current
events in Russia and other countries.
"The sta bility Of national ideas is one
of the chief factors in deciding ma
tion's destiny" said this japanese
member of parliament on the floor 81
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 any one with an ac-
curate knowledge Of Russian affairs
must know that the overthrow of the
! monarchical regime was due to the op-
pressive rule of bureaucrats and mill
terists in defnace of popular wishes.
When a nations ideas are rendered
| unsound by the maladministration OF
unscrupulous statesmen, even so
strong a nation as Russia goes to
| pieces in a remarkably short space
| of time"
MIR. Tanaka affirmed that there are
no dangerous democratic ideas among
the 6O,0O0,O00 people OF Japan
"True," he said, democratic ideas are
growing, but they are SOUND ana
loyal ideas. Dangerous ideas are not
engendered by democracy, but by the
expressions of bureaucracy Japa-
nese civilization has been democratic
from its foundation; and, in advanc-
ing popular principles of government
Japanese democrats are only show
ing their loyalty to the older and more
tested principles Of tneir civilization
From the commencement of the en-
pire the state, administration was con-
Quoted with becoming respect to the
will of the people. The bureaucrats
and militarists of feudal days defied
this principle and brought about theil
own downfall. Under the circum.
stances, it is the duty of all Japanese
ITO advocate most earnestly greater
respect for democracy rather than t.
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