Evening star., 1924-07-17
ELDER STATESMAN
SYSTEM NEAR END
No Successors Probable
When Death Takes Present
Two Survivors.
DlSlIkED BY PEOPLE
Elimination Will Mean Great Ad-
vance in Constitutional
Democracy.
BY l.. II. EGGER,

Correspondence Of The Star and the Chica 90
Daily News)
TOXIC, June 21.-The "Genro" or
elder statesmen will be a thing of
the past with the demise of the pres
ent living members Of this bureau
cratic institution, according to re-
ports in the vernacular newspapers.
should this come to pass, one of the
greatest advances in the gradual
movement toward real constitutional
democracy will have been made in
Japan.
The "Genro" sprang into being dur
ing the reign of the late Emperor
heIJL Faced with the trying prob
lens of the reStora ;ion, the cmperor
grouped around himself master minds
OF the army. navy and government as
IL select group of advisers. To the
wise counsel Of these men can much
OF the success of the iliuStriouS Meiji
DC attributed.
Guides to Regent.
One of the leaders Of this illustrious
group known as the power behind
me throne was the late Prince
amagata. AS the years passed the
group became more and more int1u-
entail in advising the throne on all
matters of Importance to the state.
tolo"ing the death of Meij they
continued to advise the present en-
p"ror. foshihiio. IS his imperial
PiEhll3SS showed signs OF weakened
mentality their power became still
greater, while the elevation of the
crown prince. HirUhito to The regency,
at the age of II placed the elder
statesmen in the position of iustruc-
tors and guides to the regent in all
important matters of state
Following the downfall of tho Sci
N "a
OF Mr.. korekiyo TakahaShi. successor
20 tr"mier IiIra. who was aSsaS-
Sinat"d. three non-party cabinets
We're sucressiYely named. one Of the
'"ddins functions of the elder states
men has been to a1viSc tn" throne
on IN" selection of the premierS THE
public opposition To bureaucratic GOV
"FnmentS as oppressed in party
cabinets has gradually resulted in the
srowth of opposition tu the "t;enro"
system ana demand that it end.
Gniy Two Remain.
= To-day only tw" cId"r statesmen are
living. Prince MatSukata. the senior
Genro' and the ONLY survivor of the
original group gathered around the
mr"ror Me1Ji. is very feeble. Al
though he miraculGuSly recovered
rom his recent critical Illness. after
hetEg reported 10y every newspaper
as dead. he is Still too weak to bc
c"nSutted in affairs Of state. Prince
hureaucra tic body. is also fast losing
his vitality through old age. but is
Sti!I ahle to carry on. He alone was
consulted on the selection Of Vtscount
'\ato. leader Of the new coalition gov
.rhm"nt, to suCccc,1 the former
Premier kiyoura
Ihat the elder statesmen are heed
ing the public demand for representa-
i've government is indicated through
the fact that Prince Saionji arcedeS
10 the viii of the pubic as exDresced
~ IN" general elections last Nav. and
Immediately named Eiscount Ka;o To
mead a coalition COVE nment follow
ing the resignation OF Viscounr III
Nouia. This action greatly njeosa,1
ihe pubic and press of Japan ami
the lnsiStent demand for elimination
90 the Genro" institution has not
been voiced of late.
Attitude of Saionfi.
The newest development in this
with Prince Saionji himself Pesii1-
ing that the two remaining elder
statesmen might soon leave this
world behind and sensing the need of
eliliorcllls ,tdn thls odreaucl1tic institu-
ton, certain influential parties are
said 10 have suggested the elevation
OF former Premier Kiyoura to the DO
Sition OF semi i-Genro' in recognition
"t ms long and meritorious service to
the state. Only by such d method
could the institution be propa gated
When the matter was brought to
his attention, however. Prince Saionii
IS reported to have expressed the be-
lief that the "Genro" system should
die with the demise of Prince Matsu-
kata and himself. Count Hirata lord
keeper of the privy seal. the highest
authority under the throne, is said to
gree with this decision. although he
himself has often been suggested as
one to help propagate the "Genro"
system.
The final decision in this important
and precedent breaking matter rests
with the imperial throne. Thus unun
the prince regent lie the responsibili-
ties of cutting the ties which have
bound the imperial throne to tn.
advice of those regarded as best suit
ed through age and experience to
guide the deStinieS of the empire To
do so will place i greater burden
upon the youthful shoulders of his
imperial hiShness. But at the same
the position of the throne more Sc
rure and more popular with the sub
jects a whole.
1t has often been suggested that
the privy council. the active court of
last resort in imperial affairs of
"Genro. Should the "Genro" system
end the throne would either call on
the privy council or the retiring pre-
nier for suggestions as to the APP
.pointment of successor. Either
source of counsel would meet with
"Genro" institution, which is now
generally regarded as obsolete. body
composed of men no longer in touch
with affairs of the moment and long
past their day Of usefulness TO the
state.