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 plain that the Seiyu-kai did not control the political situation, and could not remain in power without complications scarcely less troublesome than those that had disfigured the opening days of parliamentary government. That was not what Marquis Itō had contemplated when he placed himself at the head of the new association. He seized the first occasion to resign, and once more a Ministry was formed by men unconnected with any political party.

When the outlines of this long struggle are examined, they assume the form of a series of experiments. Each of the disputants in turn has been suffered to put his theories to the test of practical experience. Government by the united "Clan Statesmen" independently of political parties has been tried; government by the "Clan Statesmen" in coalition with a party has been tried; government by the combined parties independently of the "Clan Statesmen" has been tried; government by a party in combination with a section of the "Clan Statesmen" has been tried; and government by a section of the "Clan Statesmen" independently of the other section as well as of political parties is being tried at the moment of writing this history. The variations may be said to have been exhausted. When the present and last essay has failed—for fail it must—the Seiyu-kai will re-enter the lists to remain in undisturbed possession of them for some time. Victory rests with the "Clan Statesmen." It is