'The reports from Tokyo revealing the increased tension between the two great political parties in the Japanese Diet, the Seiyukai and the Minseito, and the Government arise out the formers' opposition to the Government's bill for the general mobilization of the Japanese nation in the event of war. The attitude taken by the two parties is in direct opposition to the principles underlying the But, and it is claimed by them that some of its provision are completely contrary to the provisions of the Constitution. Speaking in the Diet recently on the subject Mr. Takao Saito questioned the necessity Hor legislation restricting the people's right 10 existence, and contended that the legislation submitted to the Diet seemed contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. He insisted that there Jwere reactionaries in Japan who wanted strong. laws that would tend to alter the Constitution, ud he alleged that the underlying implications Jot the mobilization Bill needed to be studied very carefully. At the same time he uttered a warning against excessive anxiety to imitate the foreign practice of controlling everything which Iwas apt to hamper the people's loyalty and patriotism. Mr. Ryozo Makino insisted that the hilt represented a scheme to oblige the people entrust to the Government their lives, property and everything necessary for national defence. It disregarded patriotism and the national spirit and attempted to. invalidate Imperial prerogatives. The various interpelators who have been manifesting their di approval of the Bill in the Diet have carefully refrained from commenting upon the Japanese policy in the Far East, to avoid arousing suspl-Jciou that they were riot patriotic Japanese on the one hand, and to give no ground for unplea-Isent propaganda aprond on the other, 'There is tittle doubt that civil political opinion in Japan becomingly increasingly anxious regarding, Japanese military commitments in China. It is forpesed to the policies of the military' group land advocates a policy of greater moderation. [The only method by which they can'make their influence felt in the counsels of the nation the present time is by stubborn resistance 10 the mobilization bill, and for some time now the various sessions of ihe Diet have witnessed the Jdimicult rearguard fight which the two great parties are putting up in order to prevent the [passage of the Bill into law. I is clear from what has been published that the Seiyukai snd IMinscito tenders envisage the possibility should the measure become law, of the military' and naval cliques seizing complete control. in the levant of war, and the suspension, if not entire abrogation of constitutional. rights to which the [Japanese civilians attach such great importance. it is naturally feared that if ever a war were permitted to establish the Army and the Navy firmly in the saddle "of goverament,—even though it were only a wartime measure would leod to the establishment of a completely totalitarian state and the submersion of the Jdemocratic ideals of the Japanese who sce as iclion of their constitu subjection of the whole Jnation to the wishes and policies of the (we services. Some doubt has been expressed as 10 whether, owing to the opposition which is being offered to the measure it ill become law before {the end of this month. Should the. civilian parties succeed in preventing the passage of the Bill, other and very far-reaching' developments Imay be expected in Japan, for it is not to be believed for one moment that the Army and [Navy will readily accept such a reverse without striking back one way or another.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.