Evening star., 1920-02-15
IN POLITICS 3.
MANIFESTED IN JAPAN'
Numerous Parties Formed, But Platforms
Are Vague-Premers Usually Are
In Difficult Position.
BY THEODORE T.. BURTON,
Former Senator From Ohio.

bh THEODORE T.. BURTON,
Former Senator From Ohio.
A MULTITUDE of party organi-
~ cations have arisen in Japan
n in the last thirty years. SC
numerous as almost to exhaust
the vocabulary for such associations
1t is not profitable to give a list OF
them or to trace their various ramifi-
cations. Those now most prominent
are the Seiyukai political Fraternal
! Association). which predominates in
Premier Hara, and the Kensaikai
Constitutional Political Association)
While crossing the Pacific last Au-
gust ! asked a prominent leader OF
the latter party what were its princi-
pies. He replied: The Kensaikai de-
sire to free the country from the rule
Of bureaucracy and the militarists and
to establish the rule of the people.
On reaching Toxic the same question
was asked Of a leading member Of the
Sefyukai. The answer was that their
aim was to procure the rule OF the
people and to rid the country Of the
bureaucracy and the military clique
proclaimed by the two leaders, the
question was asked why their OBJ
jects were not realized. No answer
was forthcoming. Another answer to
the question was that the Seiyukai
were the party of Premier Hara, and
the Kensaikai Of Viscount Yato and
Count Okuma
The plain fact is that their political
parties have no definite platforms.
They are essentially groups Of indi-
viduals. or clubs. in which a nucleus
is afforded at first by the influence OF
some attractive or able leader, or less
frequently by the criticism or ad-
vocacy of some line OF policy. Their
contests are likely to degenerate into
'outs."
But recent years have shown some
progress in giving greater definite
ness to party alignments. Upon the
initiative of the Seiyukai- a measure
has been passed diminishing the
to authorize vote in the election Of
members of the diet. thereby identify
ing themselves with the extension Of
the suffrage; also they are probably
more closely identified with the land
owning interests. including large and
small proprietors alike. But Premier
Hara once said that his program vAs
= sheet Of blank pansr. indic9tihU
that he intended to take action upon
questions as they should arise. and
apparently to shape his course &C.
cording to Considerations Of exbedi-
ency.
Prenief's Di0calt Pest.
The supreme effort Of every prime
minister must inevitably be to retain
his position. and changes of front
may be necessary for that purpose.
The strength Of the bureaucracy and
respect for the emperor were forcibly
exemplified in 1915 by the changing
attitude of the veteran statesman.
Count Okuma, who for many years
was the leader in the advocacy Of
liberal principles and of a ministry
responsive to the will Of a majority
in the house Of representatives. He
became prime minister. enjoying in
an exceptional degree the confidence
of the people. He proposed various
reforms In view of opposition in the
house of representatives there was a
dissolution. but at the ensuing cleo
ton Count Okuma obtained largely
increased support. What did he do?
The proposed reforms were abandon
ed. In place of his former views he
became an avowed advocate OF the
unrestrained authority of the en-
peror, saying the constitution was his
free gift. and thus the ministry was
responsible to him only.
Nevertheless, outside or bureau
cratic influences compelled him to re-
sign soon after. and that notwith-
standing a principal achievement Of
his ministry had been the increase
of appropriations for the army and
navy. He gave way to Count Terau-
chi, a representative Of the military.
In September of 1918 Count Terauchi
resigned and was succeeded by Mr.
Hara, with a cabinet nearly all OF
whose members belong to his party.
It must be said that in the whole list
of prime ministers he promises the
closest touch with the people. He be-
longs to none of the clans which have
dominated Japan. and relies upon no