Evening star., 1920-02-15

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liberal lines. The. question is natur-
ally asked: Why. If the cabinet is not
dependent upon a majority. are there
SO frequent changes in the ministries?
Since the establishment Of the diet.
less than thirty years ago, there have
been no less than fifteen changes in
prime ministers. The longest term
was that of Prince Katsura, who held
office for four years and seven months.
a tenure made possible by the ext
gencies of the Russo-Japanese war,
during which a change was undesir-
able. The reasons are not difficult 10
ascertain. Although no cabinet can
remain in Office without the approval
of the emperor and the powerful in
fuence of the imperial household and
that array of militarists and others
who constitute the bureaucracy. new
ertheless, subserviency to these ele-
ments is not sufficient. because the
diet, just in the proportion in which
it is deprived Of control, INDUCES in
the fiercest criticism. Popular agita-
tion is a mighty force in Japan.
Alleged Corruption mt Polls.
Criticism in the diet during its brief
sessions is reinforced by a newspaper
press which Iredominantly is against
the administration and delights in op-
position rather than the advocacy OF
constructive measures. In addition
there have been instances of corrup-
ton by subordinates very near to
members of the cabinet. and of un-
lawful practices to influence elections.
Members of the house of represent
atives have been bribed to vote for
pending measures. and, worst of all.
bribes have been received in connec-
tion with government contracts
While the use of money in japanese
elections is fragrant and on very
large scale. and the friendly associa-
ton of officials with large business
interests is well known and tolerated,
disclosures Of dishonesty on the part
of those in responsible positions, and
officials interference with elections.
have been followed by riots and in
dignation meetings. Not merely have
single ministers been compelled to
quit under charges of corruption, but
in 1914 whole cabinet resigned upsp
a showing that money had been rtA
ceived from German shipbuilders by
officers connected with the ministry
of naval affairs.
AS elsewhere. there is growing In
difference to politics in Japan arising
from the feeling of the elector that
his vote is useless, because he can
have no assurance that the objects
which he seeks to promote will be
aided by the candidate who receives
his support.
The Japanese. usually so earnest and
orderly, D not all of them take DO
litical activities seriously and vio-
lence is occasionally resorted to. At
3 political meeting in Toxic last
August friends and opponents of the
speakers were represented by numer-
Gus "shoshi. or shoulder hitters. In
the. midst of the proceedings some
disturber threw three snakes on the
platform. Just now meetings of
Iworkingmen attract the largest
crowds.
1t is difficult to forecast the future
OF japanese politics. There are in
dications Of an awakened political
consciousness. and Japan always
alert to recognize and adopt that
which is most beneficial in other
countries. cannot fail to recognize
that stagnation is the outcome II
the agencies of government do not
keep pace with the developments OF
the time. With the passing of the
elder statesmen and the coming.
forward Of new meh, not SO identified
with the traditions of the past need
ed reforms may be secured Nearly
all Japanese have at least the rudi-
ments Of education and the extern
sion of the suffrage promises TO pro-
mote political activity among the
masses of the people.
The, workingmen are beginning to
assert their claims in no uncertain
manner. In addition to awakened
interest among them, the economic
pressure of the high cost of living,
nowhere more severe than in Japan.
causes the people to look to a pa
ternal government for aid. -r-'
Reconstruction League Formed.
An organization including many
well educated men, lator leaders and
considerable representation from
the newspaper press, has recently
been formed under the name of the.
Reconstruction League.
This association deserves notice be-
cause it comprehends in one platform
the aspirations of both liberals and
radicals. The members have set forth
a declaration of principles under.
these heads: Universal suffrage. abo-.
lition of class distinction, legal rec
ognition of labor unions, abolition
of bureaucratic diplomacy and no
secret treaties, reorganization of adj
ninistrative. legislative and judicial
organs. including substitution of a
senate for the house of peers and
trial by jury: also civil heads of the
army and navy departments; reform
in taxation, including an increase OF
direct taxes and graded taxation: as
surance of the livelihood of the COM
mon people. minimum wage, labor
exchanges. labor insurance. etc:
fundamental reform of local govern
ment in colonies: governors general
to be civilians and local autonomy to
be established. The term new ter
ritories" to be substituted for col
onies"; abolition OF centralixatlon in
education, teachers to be free from
outside direction or restraint: re-
form Of the imperial household, not