New Britain herald., 1927-01-21
JAPANESE FACING
 BIG ELECTION
Nine Million New Voters Will
 Take Part

Tokyo, Jan. 2l lP-Political par ties in Japan are building their fenc- es in preparation for the greatest election ever held in the empire-an election wherin more than 9,000,000 new voters will have the priviledge of casting their ballots for the first time under the manhood suffrage law passed by the Diet in 1924.
 If the election takes place--and it apparently is foregone conclusion that Premier Wakatsuki will dissolve the coming Diet for that purpose 1t is expected to be proceeded by an old-fashioned spell- bound campaign similar to those which have charac- terized many American Presidential contests. Japanese party leaders are emulating in numerous ways the American political tactics.
 No Other Course Seen
 Premier Wakatsuki, who succeed ed the late Premier Kato last spring as the head of the government, is the leader of the kenseikai. the mil nority party in the Diet The Ken seikai government was able to sur vlve the last session because of a semi coalition with the Seiyuhonto party The Seiyukai presided over by General Baron Tanaka. was the ac- tual majority party in the lower house, but was effectually defeated through the Kenseikai- Seiyuhonto combination. ..-- ....--'
 The coalition is declared to have ended, the selyuhonto demanding what was considered too great po- litical price for its adherence to the Kenseikai standards. Consequently there apparently is nothing for Wa katsuki to do but decree a dissolu- tion and go before the country. At the same time, a general election is the last thing desired by any party. The cost is expected to be tremend- ous and the attitude of the millions of new voters toward parties and po- liticians is a mystery.
 Economy An Issue
 For several, months various com- binations have attempted to cause the fall of the Wakatsuki cabinet, hoping that new cabinet would be appointed which would weather the next Diet and, consequently. avoid a national election. The premier had been accused in the newspapers of all sorts of things ranging from lese majeste to perjury, with the expec- tation that he would resign. But the premier has stood his ground and re- fused to pay any attention to his accusers. Some politicians expect the seiyukai to introduce bill of im- peachment in the Diet whereupon it will be the premier's cue to an- nounce dissolution.
 The Kenseikai would go before the country on a platform of rigid go- yernmental economy. reduction of taxes, further international disarm- ament, encourag cement of industrial enterprises and the reclamation and improvement of lands in Hokkaido, Formosa and Korea where some por- ton of the excess Japanese popula- ton can be taken care of.
 The Seiyukai Is expected to seek election on the ground that the Ken seikai has not done anything toward the improvement of economic con- ditions but, on the contrary. recent ly approved a national budget for 1927 many millions in advance of the one this year. It also would accuse the government of harboring and in- stigating several scandals during it's administration.
 Attempts have been made recently l to organize a Farmer-Labor or Agra rian party. but they have not pro- gressed far.