TROUBLE IN TOKIO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16668, 25 February 1922, Page 9

TROUBLE IN TOKIO.

POLICE CLASH WITH CROWDS. THE SUFFRACE QUESTION. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 25, 8.50 a.m.) TOKIO, February 23. More than persons were arrested and one hundred hurt by the police to-night, when crowds of demonstrators attempted to break through the police lines and reach tho headquarters ot tho Kensei-kai Party. In the fight to stem the tide of demonstrators, sever.il of the police were severely bruised Numerous persons and a number of police also received rough treatment from crowds who stormed the Diet in connection with the demo net rations in favour of an extension of the suffrage. DEFEAT REPORTED. j (Received February 25, 8.50 a.m ) HONOLULU, February 24. According to a cable from Tokio, the suffrage measure was defeated by 159 votes to 28. (A message received on February 7 said that the manhood suffrage question, which in the last session of the Diet was artificially manoeuvred hr the Opposition in order to embarrass the Government was becoming a real and popular movement nnd was gettincr beyond the control of the politicians. On the previous day crowds aggregating 200,000 held suffrage demonstrations in Tokio. Yokohama and other cities.) United Service. (Received Februarv 25. 9.20 a.m.) TOKTO, February 23. Large military forces are being held in. readiness to assist the police in con nection with the trouble which is anticipated over tho suffrage debate. The police have strongly barricaded all the streets leading to the Diet. The Franchise Bill has the backing of the combined Opposition • but it is expected that it will be defeated.