Toko, July 4.
Marquis Saionji was received in audience by the Emperor this morning, and presented the joint resignations of the Cabinet. He subsequently left Tokio for the country.
The downfall of the Cabinet is believed to be due chiefly to the remonstrances and investigations of certain of the Elder Statesmen on the subject of financial and diplomatic questions. Marquis Saionji's disinclination, in view of the Ministerial victory at the General Election, to accept ontsideassistance in framing the Government's policy further aggravated the situation. But his resignation was of a purely voluntary character.
The Throne is now consulting with the Elder Statesmen. Marquis Katsura, the former Premier, is the most likely person to succeed to Marquis Saionji, so far as can be judged until the arrival in Tokio of the Resident-General Prince Ito. His retarn has already been arranged and is shortly oxpected.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.