Page:Political Condition of Japan.djvu/18

 the country, but he quarreled with everybody. At last he left Japan in disregard of the unanimous opinion of the Committee of the party, which, without a head, fell into a fearful state, utterly disorganized. It is now believed by the most of the prominent people in Japan, that the government, alarmed at the popular movement, bought off Itagaki, giving him money and sending him to Europe. His strange conduct at the time and every other circumstance justify this belief. When he came back from Europe, after a year’s absence, he could do nothing, and departed in a great hurry to his country home, about three hundred miles from the capital. Intelligent members of the party, seeing it impossible to reorganize, separated themselves and formed an independent party. Since that time other political parties were formed, so that now three political parties oppose the Japanese government and are fighting very successfully for the cause of the Japanese people. There is every prospect that the younger men will carry on this popular movement and accomplish the work so necessary for the welfare of the Japanese people.

But what is the method by which the Japanese government attempts to meet the demands of the progressive society? No one can understand the principle which guides the policy of the present Cabinet. But it may be asked whether there is any principle at all. In fact, the policy is not guided by anything consistent. The index is neither the sentiment nor the necessity of the people. It is not even the majority of officers that decides the measures of government. They are decided only by the temporary convenience of certain officials who are highest in authority at the time. Looking at the measures carried out by the Japanese government for one year, or even a month, every inconsistency is found. Nobody can foretell what the government is going to do. Sometimes amost unexpected measure is carried out, disturbing every arrangement of personal and private property. No one is safe under the present government. Sometimes it appears to be actuated by extraordinary and radical principles, and sometimes by principles of despotic government. Sometimes two factions appear fighting against each other. What