Evening star., 1922-01-07

MARQUIS OKUMA.
The news Of the death Of Marquis
Okuma, Japan's grand old man" and
former premier, was shock to the
Japanese delegation to the Washington
Prince Tokugawa. one of the. Japa-
nese delegates to the Washington
conference. who, as president Of the
house of peers had come into official
contact with okuma, said last night:
Marquis Okuma has achieved great
things for his country. Our misfor-
tune in the loss OF Premier Hara is
now made twofold by the reported
passing away of famous statesman
whose accomplishments are known
the world over. Okuma gave his life
and the best that was in him for the
development of his country"
Prince Tokugawa added his belief
that Marquis Okuma, in his son,
Nobutsne Okuma, would leave a sue
cessor who would follow in his
fathers footsteps. The son. he said.
would inherit the title of marquis
and become a member of the house OF
peers.
Marquis Okuma was keenly inter-
ested in all activities affecting the
young men of the empire. The uni
versity. which he founded at Toxic. is
the largest in Japan and has stu
dent body of more than 5000.
Believed He Would Have Long Life.
When the Toxic correspondent of the
Associated Press. in 1916. requested
Japan's great modern statesman TO
of his life, Marquis Okuma broke out
in a smiling exclamation: why a
sketch of me? l am to live to 125.
My life's work Is only fairly under
way"
That conviction, oftentimes voiced,
friandS he raQ1lv and
sincerely believed it, is the explana-
tory essence of Okuma's career. In
1915 and 1916, during the great war,
Okuma was prime minister Of his
country and leading it onward in
time of great international strife with
all the enthusiasm and energy and
hope of a young man Of thirty. He
was wonderful in every way-even his
enemies thought that.
Okuma was the great bridge between
devoted to reconciling the old and the
new. While striving to maintain the
dignity and nobility for which the
samurai fought, he yet pushed Japan
forward intellectually and materially
to obtain for her the rank Of first
tion Of the west and making it an in
tegral part Of Nippon.
Born in Year 1888.
Shigenobu okuma. called Hachitaro
okuma in BIS boyhood was born in
February. 1888; at Saga. one of the
leading cities Of Kyushu. the most
southern Of the three great islands
OF Japan. He was raised by an ideal
father and mother, and began life
under very fortuitous circumstances.
His father, Nobuyasu Okuma, was one
of the influential clansmen of Saga
and was the commander Of the fort
ress at Nagasaki. The son entered
clan school, where the sons Of all
clansmen or retainers were obliged
to receive education in Chinese class
les, and especially to study a text
book treating of Buhsido, the moral
spirit of the Samurai.
/ The clansmen of Saga were the first
to come in touch with westerners. for
the port of Nagasaki, the only place
opened to international trade in the
ShogOnate period. was under the
jurisdiction of Saga The result was
that many Of the rising. generations
western civilization despite the re-
straining efforts Of the elder samurai.
Strict regulations. even q loss Of
hereditary fortune, did not stifle the
awakened zeal Of the young clans
men nor remove their thirst for
Young Okuma was one of the first to
show the discomfort with what he
deemed an oppressive and dogmatic
educational system Of clan govern
ment. He became a leader of the re-
.bellion against the old idea that con-
tact with western civilization meant
danger for the empire.
Okuma and some Of hts friends
deemed the fall of the Shogunate re-
gime inevitable. They secretly left
J imperial capital. to Join with other
clans and memorialize the shogun to
relinquish his power in favor of the
/, imperial court, which had existed only
in name for about two centuries. The
division over this question resulted
j gunate and imperial forces. which re-
suited in the restoration of the Meiji
emperor.
Okuma, a mere student, was ap-
. pointed to the important post of
councillor when the imperial regime
. ously he had been commissioned in
= the direction of international affairs
at Nagasaki, which was then the only
: port open to foreign commerce. He
. soon won a reputation for diplomatic
. ability.
The important question in the early
stages of the restored Meiji govern
.ment was the persecution of Chris
tians. A shogunate law prohibited
belief in Christianity, but the num-
Der of converts at Nagasaki gradually
increased. Although personally not
anti-Christian, Okuma favored the re-
lection of tho demands Of the foreign
ministers in connection with the ar
rest of Christians, on the ground that
they had no right to meildie with the
internal affairs of Japan. The gov
ernment adopted his opinion and
made him q member Of the committee
to negotiate with the foreign repre-
sentatives.
Okuma's Rise Rapid.
Okuma's rise was now rapid. He
took historic parts in the development
of the great Meiji reign. which opened
Japan to western civilization. He
raised loans and saw that they were
paid. He labored for the abolition Of
the feudal system and the establish.
ment of q constitutional government.
The statesman was member Of the
second. Matsukata ministry and in.
Iune. 1898. formed q cahinat OF hia