JAPAN: Slip of the Tongue

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In the Japanese Diet last week Deputy Tokuho Mitsui (not a member of the "House of Mitsui," richest in Japan) was stabbed in the arm with a fountain pen. A dagger flashed. In the wild melee several heads and hands were slashed. Other heads grew lumps after the police poured in. When the fight first began, Acting Prime Minister Baron Shidehara was in a nearby room. Without an instant's hesitation he walked out of the Diet Building surrounded by his six new plainclothesmen (all jiu-jitsu experts), climbed into his limousine and drove home.

To understand what the fight was about one must remember that all Japanese are supposed really and truly to believe that their Emperor is the "Son of Heaven," the lineal descendant of the Sun Goddess and himself genuinely divine. Whether they believe it or not, Japanese statesmen have to act as though they believed that the Emperor is all-wise, can no more do wrong than can Jehovah. This being so, Japanese who oppose the London Naval Treaty became absolutely boiling mad last week when Baron Shidehara in defending the Treaty said: "Well, do you suppose the Emperor would have signed it if it was not good?"

The opposition were as blind-furious as some U. S. Senators and Congressmen would be if President Hoover arose and queried:

"Gentlemen, would Jehovah have approved Prohibition if it were not good?"

Of course Baron Shidehara instantly corrected himself. He is no more supposed to drag the Emperor's name into debate than is Mr. Hoover to call on Jehovah in his political battles. "I made a slip of the tongue," apologized Baron Shidehara. "I withdraw."

Perforce, the opposition were balked, but they were still so boiling mad that, later, during a discussion of financial matters, party passions fizzed up into the dagger scene.