Evening star., 1921-11-04
HARA LONG IN POLITICS.
Had Been Premier Since 1918, En-
tering Cabinet in 1913.

BY the Associated Press.
The assassination of Premier Hara
comes at a dramatic moment, when
the Japanese delegation is assembling
for the, Washington conference. and
when Japan is intensely interested in
the internatioal issues in which Pre-
mier Hara has until now taken such
an important part. He had been urged
TO head the delegation towashing-
ton, and for time had the matter
under consideration. hut finally de
cidcd that his services would be bet
Ter employed at home during the dis
cussions at Washington.
Premier Hara frequently addressed
The japanese diet concerning the seri-
Gus work ahead for Japan at Wash
1ngton, and on October 6 he ex-
pressed the view that Japan's chief
aim would be to put an end to race
barriers. He later conferred with the
American ambassador at Toxic, and
'he premier soon afterward an
nounced at a meeting of the govern
ment party that Japan was willing to
compromise on the Shantung ques-
tion with China, which had long been
T. main subject of controversy. .-
Premier Hara declared, in recent
statements. that Japan was ready to
accept limitation of her naval es-
tablishment along with the rest Of
the world. and always keeping in
mind the necessities of her national
defense.
Takashi Hara has been premier of
Japan since 1918, when be formed
4 cabinet after the fall of the Terau.
Chi ministry. the Sieyu-Kai. party. OF
which he was leader. taking control.
party was confirmed by the general
election in May. 1920. that party
securing great majority.
The premier has had long and
1884. he was for some tim. in the for
eign office service. both at home and
abroad. and was vice minister for a
time in 1895. He Joined the late
Prince Ito in Organizing the Seiyu-
ward became minister of communi-
cations in the cabinet. Later he
served again as head Of that depart
1nent Of the government in the Seiyu-
The fall of that ministry. and travel
ing in Europe and America in the
latter part Of 1908 and in 1909. On
his visit to this country he was re-
ceived by President Rooseyelt in
: VI. Hara re-entered the cabinet in
1919 as minister Of home affairs and
in 1918 formed the cabinet now in
office.
w HSN d youth TIARA StuOIeQ Jaw
for a time. but early forsook 1t for
journalism. through which work came
his introduction into the foreign Of
ice service. During later interval
in his political career. in 1896-97. he
was chief editor of the Osaka Mai
nichi, and took up again the chief
editorship OF that paper for a time
before entering the Saionji cabinet as
minister Of the interior In 1906. -
In May. 1920. plot was discovered
TO assassinate Premier Hara, the de-
tails coming out in November last by
publica tion of the findings Of a pre-
liminary court which tried a former
:rtiIleryman named Ito. charged with
planning an attempt against the
premier's person. Seven bombs were
10 have been employed in the at
tempted assassination. which was to
have taken place on May 8, 1920, the
court findings showed.
1t was asserted that Ito came to
Toxic and purchased a revolver and
".S,osives. making his bombs out Of
AeH,s and boxes. On taking. them
: AJntinuea on Page 2, Column g.