JAPANESE STATESMEN DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1922, Page 7

JAPANESE STATESMEN DEAD.

OKTJMA AND MITSUI. (Received 10.30 a.m.l TOKYO, January <'•• The death is announced of the ex-lV-Bier (Count Okuma), and also of Baron Tikayasn Mitsui.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) Count Okuma, Japan"s oldest statesWan, was born in 1838. He was not a "■ember of the two ruling clans, the Choshu or the Satsuma, but he entered upon a political career early in life, and though he retired from politics many years ago, he was recalled on several occasions in times of crisis, when his w>se guidance proved of great advantage *o his country. His first service was in tbe Treasury Department, but in 188 S. the year preceding the promulgation of the constitution, he transferred to the Foreign Office, and while here he revised the treaty with the Powers before the ' R **toration. One clause, relating to tlie anointment of foreign judges, aroused resentment, and a bomb was thrown at nill >. injuring a leg. which had to be "Wated. He returned to the Foreign Office in 1898, and assumed the PremierJ?'P the same year. He resigned from the Progressive' party in ISO", and this w«s believed to be the end of his political lain* 1 ' hut he was recalled to office in of th d again dQ ' in ß' tue stormy days f»f* ron , Mitsni "'A B the head of the nw* ¥ tini family, the oldest milSu and the most noted weoitary hous M of the "business kings" re.™ 8n ' mao »lring the big family conafter the fashion of a 22 Wtianal monarchy. The concerns ™"Mc a great bank, a trading departg™«. and a mining department. The 2?**»« ah» assisted considerably in T* C * Wae * of Japan,