CRISIS IN JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1920, Page 5

CRISIS IN JAPAN.

MUCH SOCIAL UNREST.

DISSOLUTION OF THE DIET. By TeltEiaph—Press Assn.—Copyxlelit, Tokio, March 7. The crisis in Japan is the longest sustained popular agitation in the constitutional history of Japan. There are organised demonstrations, many attacks on official residences, and, ferocious personal attacks on the Premier. The pronounced agitations are not representative of national opinion. The Government is stubbornly resisting the elaborate efforts of the innumerable societies composed of students, the middle classes and professional agitators. A strike of the Government steel workers involves heavy national loss. Thirty thousand men are idle. There is much cabotage and social unrest.

The dissolution of the Diet terminated with dramatic suddenness atfer many months of intensive agitation. Mr Hara (the Prime Minister), amid an uproarious debate, challenged the validity of the demand for universal suffrage, and urged the submission of the question to the people's judgment. Then he flourished the Imperial rescript ordering the dissolution, which produced the effect of a bombshell. It was a typically Ilaraesque example of the adroit avoidance of an impasse. The police control of the extraordinary scene of excitement, outside the Diet proves that the Government was well prepared for eventualities.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable.'Assn. STRIKE AMONGST IRONWORKERS. RIOTING CAUSES SUSPENSION. Received March 12. 2.40 p.m. Tokio, March 7. The ironworks at Yawata were suspended indefinitely.on February 20 owing to rioting. Troops have arrived.— Times Service.