The Washington herald., 1922-07-23
JAPANESE PRESS
ATTACKS 'CENRO
SYSTEM OF NATION
Newspapers Bold in Urg.
ing That Age-Old Plan
Be Abolished.

TOKYO. July 1s.-The Japanese
press, with a unanimity that be-
tokens very widespread interest
and with a vigor and directness
that should surprise those like Lord
Northcliffe, who have persuaded
themselves that the japanese edi-
tors are FIRMLY held under the ON
cial thumb. have been taking ad-
vantage Of the recent cabinet crisis
to attack the "genro' system and
to urge that 1t be forever abolished.
The editorial writer's are particu-
larly aroused over the calling in for
consultation by the only two re-
manning "genro.' or elder states
men," of Viscount Kiyoura, the
successor OF the late Prince Yama-
gaia as president of the privy coun-
Gil, interpreting this as an indica-
tion of the desire Of the bureaucrats
to perpetuate this system Of high
er government by those in no way
responsible to the people and act
ing without any authority recog-
nized by constitution or law.
The "genro" system is peculiar to
Japan. being a sort of super-gov-
ernment. Originally there were
seven elder statesmen" a brilliant
band of patriots who surrounded
the late Emperor Meiji and brought
Japan through the period from
Standardization. in the western
sense of the word. to that Of a
modern worlds power. They made
Japan what she is today, and speak
ing through the emperor. ruled this
land wisely, progressively. and well.
Today only two survive, Prince
Saionji, who at the age Of 81 lies
on what Is probably his death bed.
and Viscount Matsukata, also an
octogenarian, Prince Yamagata, the
strongest Of them all and the
mighty power behind the throne
even up to the eve OF his death
few months ago, and Count Okuma,
whose radicalism opposed Yama-
gata's stern conservatism. left none
to take their places, in the opinion
of the press, while in the natural
course Of things Saion1i and Matsu-
kata are bound to pass from the
stage very soon.
These two. however. in consulta-
ton with viscount Kiyoura, who Is
73 years old. selected and MADE
Admiral Baron Kato today's pre-
mier of Japan. In the face OF the
opposition of an almost united press
and of such public sentiment as was
articulate. these three old men. one
on his death bed, placed their choice
at the head of the government.
Kato was not the choice of the
people, nor the choice of any party
represented in the diet, but the
choice alone of the "genro." And
for this reason the selection OF the
minister of the navy Is unpopular
in Japan, although the man him
self, who shared with Admiral Togo
the glory Of the victory of the Sea
of Japan, is a national hero. The
opposition voiced against the choice
OF Kato was opposition to the sys-
tenn which permitted premiers and
cabinet ministers and ambassadors
to be named regardless Of popular
feeling.
Viscount Kiyoura, like Yamakata
and Okuma. is an example Of the
fact that neither power nor posi-
ton in Japan depend upon aristo-
cratic blood nor noble birth. even
though Japan is a land of aristo-
Gratis and where family is consid-
cred of the greatest Importance.
This man. now head of the privy
council. has not only won high
position by his own endeavor but
has literally made his own name.