Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-21
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL y. COLLINS.

yesterday witnessed the urSL popular
federal election in Japan which has
ever taken place under the hberalized
law of 1925. 1t Is. Of course. too early
to learn who was elected. or even what
party won. but in the light OF a recent
provincial election. when IS per cent of
the eligible voters cast their ballots, it
Is quite within the possibilities that
Japan yesterday put to shame the in
different American voters. OF whom
half willfully neglect their ,uty at the
ballot box. Yet the japanese have not
been bred to democracy and would be
excusable IL they failed to realize its
obligations as well as Its privileges.
BY reason Of Law adopted in the
Spring Of 1925. every male Japanese who
pays tax amounting to not less than
yen-about Sl.47-is entitled to
vote. and Is penalized II he fails to do
so. This was the first federal applica-
ton OF that law in electing House
Of Representatives. The voters who
neglect TO pay their taxes lose their
want TO be exempt from the duty Of
voting forego the privileges Of paying
their taxes. Possibly many an Amer
lean to whom participation IN the fran
chise is bore would even be willing
to dodge his taxes in spite of the pen
atty" of losing his vote. Until 1928. the
japanese minimum tax limit emitting
10 vote was yen. but now IL is
reduced to 3. and Ii is predicted
that instead of 5000 900 votes cast for
the election Of members Of the Diet
or Parliament. yesterdays vote prob
ably amounted to $4,000. 900. The
millions yet OF non-taxpayers. there
fore non-voters.
While the government Of Japan re-
mains that OF an Emperor. and is not
even responsible TO an elected parlia-
ment. as In England and other Euro
pean countries. the worldwide effect of
the Great War in arousing spirit of
democracy in government affected even
imperial Japan. hence the liberali.ing
OF the common people 70 the franchise.
The history Of Japan-or Nippon or
Nihou. as the natives call it--da,es back
600 years BIC, under Mikado Jimmu.
but little Is KNOWN of 1t prior 10 the
beginning OF the Christian era. when
1t is recorded that human sacrifice III
honor Of the death OF a Mikado was
abolished through Chinese influence"
In the sixth century Chinese culture
and influence made It's mark oh Japan.
and III the seventh century AID. began
the story NJ successive dynastieS of
shosunS of feudal lords. with VARYING
fortunes of the conflict Of power be-
tween the MiSadoS and the ShoSuas,
These feudal lords. heads OF klanS. were
found 10 be supreme when our com;uo-
dore Perry. In 1882, forced the country
70 open its ports TO the commerce OF
civilization
At that time the Mikado. although
reverenced by the people. was deprived
OF actual power BY the ShogUnS, and
was virtually prisoner in his palace
Commodore pcrry's conquest Of IapanS
isolation was against the ShogunS. and
resulted In osershrowing their control
and reinStating the power Of the MiSa-
do. with the opening o. ports 10 CON-
merce.
Some 10 years ago notable address
was made at the University Club OF
Washington by 4 distinguished japanese
scholar. MaSuji Miyakawa. outlining
the differences between the present
Japanese and United States ConStisu-
tons, In the opening, the speaker used
this language,
Ever since the Gay or the ftlSrtm
Fathers. who landed ON the EedmenS
soil, IL has been yours 10 set the world
the American example Of right, hosser
and Justice. which. III turn. has itself
served as motive force for yo0r own
progress and civilization. Alcady yc0r
patient, generous and humanitarian ef-
forts have saved. changed and blessed
the whole of Japan. Japan. III short
interval Of time. has jumped IN one
bound nom most humsiiatinS national
position 10 che i'll which the society oi
nations has come 10 receive her ~ one
Of the leaders III the eiyiligsd world
n change SD marvellous that II HON te~
cupies the worlds attention"
- -
While all that Mas true 10 wears asn,
how much more emphaticalN might II
be expressed to-day. With the history nj
the last score Of wears added ~ her
then progress! rcrry'S treaty at 1854
when he made his second visit IL
Japanl provided not only the opening
OF commerce. but save us extra |
territorial courts for trying all eases
upk,n Japanese territory III which AMcr- |
leans We're concerned. Instead NJ leaVt,S |
such trials IL Japanese jurisdiction.
That mark Of her "Mferiarity exNNpleN"
has hong aso been abolished, and weald /