Yet another great feature of Japan's general elections is the defeat protection has undergone. Protection formed one of the main planks of the Government party's platform. The cities have been strongly anti-protectionist, and the fact that the Seiyukai polled ea few votes, comparatively, in the urban constituencies is mainly due to its protectionist policy. In the rural regions, the Government strove to secure popularity by purchasing rice, by undertaking the construction of railways and harbours, by offering villages funds from the Savings Department and by several other "positive" inducements. But the trend against protection has been growing in the country districts for some years, and the election figures are proof of this.
'THe China Policy What Japan's China policy will be is a matter of paramount interest and importance. The policy en-Unciated by General Tanaka is well known. In a nutshell, it was and is that Japan will not stand any nonsense if her vital interests and the lives of her nationals were jeoardised by.the- constant civil commotions in China, The Opposition, on the other hand, has been consistently critieizing this policy, declaring that it was reminiscent of the use of the big tick and was not auited for this Negotiations Between Tanaka Ministry and Basiness Men's Party Osaka, Mar. 15.
The destiny of the Tanaka Mi try is being settled at Osaka by a conference between Dr. Sanjii Muto, Jeader of the Business-men's Party and Mr. Kotero Mochizuki, the Minister of Communications, who is representing the Premier.
If Mr. Mochizuki succeeds in enlisting the support of Mr. Muto and three followers, General Baron. Tanaka will be able to remain in power.
Mr, Muto's price will be acceptance by the Premier of the platform of the: Business Men's Party, in which reduction of the Business Tax is the main feature.
To-night Mr. Muto is meeting Mr. Oguchi, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Finance, and will confer with Mr. Mochizuki again to-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.