SOCIALISM, January 24.
Auraovan it has been established that Kotoke, the Japanese con-spirater, and his associates have to be regarded as anarchists and not merely 28 Socialists, as was at first implied, it is not to be inferred that Socialism in Japan is non-existent or is only to befannd in the extreme type that hankers after bombs and revolvers. 'The presence of socialistic activity in the country is admitted, but as the publication of anything' calculated to further its propaganda is discountenanced by the Government, it is difficult to decide whether the movement has any real strength in it. On the other hand the subject is exercising the minds of prominent men and ablicists, and recently formed the is of a striking series of articles ina Tokio trade journal, Probably under the influence of what was then known of Kotoku's plot, most of the writers invest Japanese Socialism with anarchistic ten-doneies; but while censuring this aspect, they warned the Government not to adopt a policy that would drive all radicals and_discontents into underhand agitation. Count Hayashi, formerly Minister for Foreign Affairs, one of the contributors, goes further; he regards the policy of suppressing Socialist publications, which he attributes to the Minister of Education, as narrow-minded, dangerous and inadequate to attain the object in view. The measures of repression practised in Japan are said to include an elaborate system of police espionage over all persons suspected of socialistic leanings. A Socialist thus becomes a marked man, estranged from his former friends who may like his company without sharing his creed, and is driven to the role of an Ishmael and to secret conspiracy.
For the locus classieus of political Socialism it is usual to turn to Germany, where the movement has
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