Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 4.djvu/279

 The issue of the experiment was such a palpable fiasco that it effectually rehabilitated the "Clan Statesmen," and finally proved, what had indeed been long evident to every close observer, that without their assistance no political party could hold office successfully.

In connection with this incident there appeared prominently upon the political scene a remarkable figure. Mr. Hoshi Tōru had been among the leaders of the Liberals from the time of their organisation, but had accepted the office of Japanese Representative in Washington during the period of his party's coalition with the Itō Cabinet. He possessed many of the qualities generally supposed to make for greatness, eminent among them being unflinching pursuit of purpose, insatiable ambition, and unscrupulousness in choice of means or agents. Much of the vehemence that characterised the Liberals' hostility to the Progressists had been derived from his fierce invective and restless implacability, and since his own route to a supreme place would be sensibly lengthened by the fusion of his party with another body of almost equal strength and containing in its ranks many men who regarded him with feelings of bitter hostility, he hastened back to Japan, bent upon dissolving a union so inimical to his personal interests. The success that attended his disruptive efforts and the dexterity he showed in applying them greatly enhanced his reputation, so that, after the fall of the Ōkuma-