JAPANESE POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 150, 21 March 1921, Page 5

JAPANESE POLITICS

CHARGES AGAINST A MINISTER

ACCUSATIONS OF GRAFT

By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright.

Tokio, March 18.

Mr. Hirooka, Secretary of the Seiyukai Party in the Diet, has published an open letter charging Admiral Kato with having sold his political convictions. Hirooka charges Kato with receiving 50.0C0 vnn from a Kobe capitalist for Ids promise not to favour universal suffrage, and states that Kato did not keep his promise.

The incidents are interpreted to be an attempt, bv the Government Party to embarrass the Opposition, which attacked the Government in connection with graft accusations over - the South Manchurian railway. The police dispersed mass meetings of both parties.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RIOTOUS GATHERING EXCITEMENT IN THE DIET. (Rec. March 19, 5.5 p.m.) Tokio, March 18.

Riotuos scenes attended a meeting of the Kenseikai Party called to discuss Mr. ITirooka’s letter. Ten thousand persons assembled. When Representative Shimizu attempted to speak the crowd demolished the platform. Fights followed, the police making many arrests. After the meeting had broken up a crowd inarched on the Diet building and attempted to break through the. police ■cordons. Reserves were called out, arrested the leaders, and dispersed the mob.

Meanwhile there was great excitement within the Diet. The House of Peers unanimously adopted a resolution declaring that the Empire was disintegrating, the people’s minds were in a state of unrest, the nation's prestige abroad impaired, the general conditions were deplorable, and it was desiraljle that prevailing evils ho speedily rectified.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WANT-OF-CONFIDENCE MOTION DEFEATED ALLEGATION AGAINST MEMBER OF AMERICAN MISSION. (Rec. March 25, 11.5 p.m.) Tokio, March 19. Tho House of Representatives rtvorwholiningly defeated a motion declaring a. want of confidence in the Hara Ministry. based on charges of alleged South Manchurian, railway scandals. Viscount Uchida. addressing the Diet Budget Committee, said that Japan would stand firmly on the Yap mandate. Representative Uehirra charged Mr. John F. Stevens, who is nt the head of tho American railway mission to Siberia, with carrying on an anti-Jnpan-ese movement as a result of his views clashing with those of the Japnnftie army in Siberia.

Viscount Uchida replied that he knew nothing of the allegations against Mr. Stevens, adding that the Government was adopting every possible means to prevent the passage of laws similar to California’s anti-alien measure. Visacount Uchida declared' that the British and Russian trade agreement was a temporary affair. 'Hitherto Japan had kop*- in touch with the Soviets, but it might be necessary to map out a policy confirming that of other countries. He believed that tho Moscow anil Chita Governments should be treated with separately.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.