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not but that Our subjects will be guided by Our views, and will sympathize with Our endeavours, and that, harmoniously co-operating together, they will share with us Our hope of making manifest the glory of Our country both at home and abroad, and of securing for ever the stability of the work bequeathed to Us by Our Imperial ancestors.’
Such being the Imperial decree in question, the people of Japan are bound to obey the spirit and the words of this decree. In other words, having been given a voice in the legislation of the country by virtue of the Constitution, they, in making use of this privilege, must always endeavour to be in consonance, and not at variance, with the purposes of the Constitution, which are the wishes of the Emperor.
I regret that, as it appears to me, things are not progressing as they ought to be as regards the economics of the country. This seems to be especially the case when one looks at the condition of the provincial finances. Here it is often evident that the parties concerned are conducting affairs with no calculation as to their resources. I think they often launch out on enterprises on the spur of the moment without stopping to ask whether or not their projects are within the means of the country, or of their prefecture, town or village; and they seem to completely lack any spirit of caution or any desire to increase their expenditure only to the extent of their power of meeting it.
Nobody who takes trouble to study the trend of affairs, both at home and abroad, will dare to say that our navy could remain for ten years as it is at present. There is a limit to the number of years for which all war-vessels retain their full efficiency, and the subsequent deterioration must be made good. Whether you call it replenishment or call it expansion, the fact is the same: it is a necessity. Or look at it from the point of maintaining the balance of power in the Far East: no one can possibly deny the necessity of extension.
I deem agriculture one of the most important factors in the economics of the country…. Seeing that various lines of industries and commercial enterprises scattered over the country are making fair progress, we must not neglect our agricultural interests. One may question if the levy on the farmer must never be increased in the future; I would by no means answer in the negative. In case of national need, the farmer should willingly bear his share of the burden. There is no reason in the world why a burden, once lightened, should never again be increased. When a burden is reimposed, it will be done so equally, on the farmer as on the merchant; and the farmer has no right to say that he alone must be exempted. With the privilege of participating in the administration of the country,