CRUSHING DEFEAT

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18072, 14 May 1924, Page 9

CRUSHING DEFEAT

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT. VERDICT pF THE POLLS. (BT CABLX— PRESS "association copybioet.) (AUSTRALIAN AHD N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received May 13th, 7.55 p.m.) TOKYO, May 12. The latest election returns show the respective party strengths to be as follows: Kensei-kai .. 142 Seiyo-kunto .. ~. 102 Seiyu-kai ... . 89 Kakushin ... . 29 Independents ... 63 There remain 39 seats yet uncertain but it is believed the Ken.se a';ai will win the greater number of these, and the anti-Government parties are certain to have an overwhelming majority. This is the most crushing defeat received by any Cabinet during the past quarter of a century. Dr. Mizuno, a member of the Ministry, who is urging Viscount Kiyoura (Prime Minister) to remain in office, conferred with Marquis Saionji, an Elder Statesman, and is understood to have asked him to approve of. another dissolution of the Diet/ It is not believed, however, that the venerable leader will countenance such a step in face of the avowed unpopularity -of the Kiyoura Cabinet. The Kensei-kai Party already is preparing prospective Cabinet lists. Viscount Kato is considered to be the most likely aspirant to the Premiership.

The announcement of the result of the polls in many parts led to a recrudescence of disturbances, partisans of the defeated candidates storming' rival committee-rooms and causing considerable damage to property. Factional fights in Numadzu necessitated the calling out of police reinforcements from neighbouring towns before order could be restored.

[The present Cabinet, is composed almost wholly of peers, with practically no representation from the leading political parties.]