Evening star., 1920-02-15
ACTIVITY IN POLITICS
MANIFESTED IN JAPAN
Numerous Parties Formed, But Platforms
Are Vague-Premiers Usually Are
In Difficult Position.
BY THEODORE f. BURTON,
Former Senator From Ohio.


A MULTITUDE of party organi-
~ cations have arisen in Japan
in the last thirty years. SO
numerous as almost to exhaust
the voca bulary for such associations.
1t is not profitable to give list of
them or to trace their various ramifi-
cations. Those now most prominent
are the Seiyukai political Fraternal
Association), which predominates in
the present administration. led by
Premier Hara, and the kensaikai
Constitutional Political Association).
While crossing the Pacific last Au-
gust I-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 mi1itarists and
to establish the rule of the people"
On reaching Toxic the same question
was asked of leading member of the
Seiyukai. 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.
In view of the identity of principles
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 attra or able leader, or less
frequently by the criticism or ad-
vocacy of some line Of policy Their
contests are likely to degenerate into
a mere struggle between the "ins" and
OUTS
But recent years .have shown some
progress in giving greater definite
ness to. party aiignments. Upon the
initiative of the Seiyukai measure
has been passed diminishing the
,, amount of taxes which must be paid
to authorize vote in the election of
members of the diet, thereby Identify
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 was
q sheet Of blank paper, indicating
that he intended to take action upon
questions as they should arise. and
apparently to shape his course -ac-
| cording to considerations of eexpedi-
ency. ~ Z
,Premier,s DfmcuIt Post.
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
I 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
! 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
/ dissolution, but at the ensuing cleo
, tion 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.
| 1t 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
|