Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/498

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
458
JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

men met, and Messrs. Miyoshi, Shimada, and Sakuma addressed them.

On the same day a labour organ, the Labour World, was published.

1898: February 20.—The engine-drivers of the Nippon Railway Company were successful in a great strike against the company.

April 5.—An association called the Kyoseikai was organized by the engine-drivers of the company above mentioned.

October 1.—With a view to giving support to the labourers, Mr. Sakuma established a deposit bank called the Kokumin Chochick Ginko.

In the middle of this month a Government draft scheme for factory legislation was submitted to the High Council of Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry. The Rodo-Kumiai-Kiseikai opposed certain articles of the draft.

November 2.—Baron Kaneko made a speech in the Seinenkai Hall in connection with labour problems.

1899: March 5—The Printers’ Association was established.

May 17.—Mr. Shimada, M.P., was elected President of the Printers’ Association.

July 9.—Messrs. Shimada, M.P., Kanai, Kuwada, and Katayama addressed a meeting in the Seinenkai, which was summoned together by the Printers’ Association.

September.—Towards the end of the month the engine-drivers of the Kyushyu Railway Company made a strike. Mr. Kentaro Oh-i started a socialist movement in the city of Osaka, where he published a weekly paper called the Osaka Shu-ho.

December.—The Iron-Workers’ Association came into collision with the Nippon Railway Company. On the 27th an extra number of the Labour World was issued, condemning the actions of the company, which unjustly discharged its employés.

1900: February.—Police Regulations respecting the preservation of order were promulgated.

March.—The Industrial League established at Koishikawa, Tokyo, an independent co-operative iron-foundry.

September.—The Industrial Association was organized at Wakayama.

The Conductors’ League was organized by the conductors of the Tokyo Tramway Company.

1901: April 18.—The Engine-Drivers’ Association of the Nippon Railway Company convened a large meeting, at which it was decided to solve labour questions in accordance with the principles of Socialism.

April 30.—At the initiation of the Niroku Shimpo, a Tokyo daily paper, a great festive gathering was held at Muko-jima for the benefit of the working classes.