JAPAN SEES
RULE OF THE
PEOPLE NEAR
NEW YORK. Oct. 10. What prog
ress Is democracy making In Japan?
Will the world war bring popular gov
ernment to the people? Does the in
cursion of liberal ideas labeled "dan
gerous thoughts" by the frightened
reactionaries of Japan, endanger the
solidity of the empire?
These questions were put to Marquis
Shigenohu Okuma, former premier of
Japan, in Tokyo. As one of the early
leaders of democracy in Japan and
champion of constitutional govern
ment. the marquis frankly discussed
conditions his country must meet if
she is to remain strong in the face
of new international currents.
“Democracy is inevitable in Japan,
and its coming is not far distant." he
declared. “Hut. though all the other
thrones of the world should totter
and fall." he continued emphatically,
"you may be sure that the Imperial
House of Japan would survive."
Must Face the Issue.
The marquis proceeded to develop
his contention that the throne of Jap
an would remain impregnable against
the wave of modern political thoughts
which is sweeping the world.
"Japan must face the issue." he
went on "In view of radical political
changes the world has seen, ranging
front advances made in lands where
popular will already prevailed to the
upheaval in Russia, there is no deny
ing Ihe effect till this will have upon
Japan. Rut we are prepared for it.
I am confident that the intelligence
of the Japanese people equips them
for accepting modern democratic ideas
and incorporating them in their gov
ernment without danger to national
strength.
"When I say Japan's throne stands
without peril, 1 have In mind the pe
culiar character of the Emperor’s po
sition in respect to the people. The
Mikado is the head of a large family.
He Is not a kaiser. He is not a despot.
Here is a fact which i wish to make
plain and political agitation which
may occur In Japan will never be di
rected against the imperial house.”
Where Danger Lies.
I'p to this point Marquis Okuma had
made no mention of the present min
istry In Japan, a ministry which has
faced charges of being unconstitution
al. super-party and bureaucratic ever
since it came into office. Nor did he
become explicit at this juncture. What
he said was this:
"The danger to democracy in Japan
lies, not in the rule of the emperor,
but in the administration of those who
interpret the sovereign's will to the
people. If a bureaucratic government
attempts to suppress the sentiments
of the public, there is offered an ob
stacle to democratic progress which
may have serious consequences — in
Japan as in any other country.
"I believe, however, that the govern
ment leaders of Japan, like the people, '
are prepared to receive the new world
democracy and direct the national des- J
tinles accordingly."
"Do you fear that a change from
Japan’s ancient system of monarchic
rule to a more liberal form of gov-!
eminent might endanger the strength
of the nation?" he was asked.
"I do not." was the emphatic reply. .
I realize that Is a belief sometimes •
entertained by foreigners, hut therein I
they fail to understand the fabric of
the Japanese nation. Japan’s qual
ities of assimilation have aided her ;
progress many times, and they will j
stand her in good stead in the Intro
duction of the principles of democ
racy. The establishhinent of a modern
democracy in Japan, with retention
of the monarchy on constitutional
lines, will come gradually, a process
orf evolution. In the overthrowal of
the Shogunate, the old fuedal govern
ment. in 1K68, and restoration of the
power of the Mikado, Japan under
went a violent national upheaval and
emerged all the stronger. There Is
no reason to believe she is not equal ;
to the present situation."
Franchise Changes Sure
"What of wider suffrage in Japan?"
"Extension of the franchise." replied j
Marquis Okuma, "is a step which will ’
and must naturally come as a result '
(if the new democratic tendencies. At !
a time when for example, President
Wilson has declared himself in favor ;
of woman suffrage in the I’nlted
States, it is to be expected that the 1
male population of Japan should do
maud a greater voice in the nation’s j
affairs, based upon more intelligence ,
rather than upon a property qualifi
cation. But this development, like
many others relating to democratic
progress in Japan and the whole world
depends to a largo extent upon the ,
decision of that vital issue which we
all face today the war between the
allied powers and (»ermany.
"This war is a struggle against
kaiserism It kaiserism is crushed,
democracy in Japan, as in other parts
of the world, will receive an impetus
which will speed the day of popular
government. That is one reason 1
await .tn allied victory. And as my,
confidence in that victory is supreme,
so is my faith in the coming of dem
ocracy to Japan But it will not come
overnight, with violence. It will come
as a gradual course of enlightenment."
♦
t'se the eia. stt.ed ad column o ?!■•
Times if you want results
iVar Program
to Push Work
Until Next June
PHll.AllKU’HIA. Oft !» A huge
ar work program lias boon planned
y the army general staff for the next '
ight months.
"The war department definitely
Ians to produce twice as much ma
erial from now until next June as it
as produced since the beginning of
he war." was the statement made
ere by John C. Jones, director of
roductlon in this district, in explain
pg that production in Philadelphia
nd vicinity will not be cut.
\lr Jones said all of the plants will
ie kept running at capacity and that
he order of the general staff of the I
rmy that contracts awarded here and !
n fifty nine other cities were to be |
ept at a minimum was really meant i
o prevent the breaking down of the !
rogram of producing an overwhelm- \
ng amount of war material during
he next eight months. |
-♦
MICKIE SAYS^ _
JikV, 0\0J* E\IE« NOTICE
«*kT yjE roost some I
VERT\SfcRS MORE THM \
^RS? \NECC,THEN'S A REk-\
JAMES E. WILSON
Solicits your vote for
Re-election for
ROAD COMMISSIONER
General Election Nov. 5.
U' i
Mr. Business
Man
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