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they are, on the other hand, feeling more and more the necessity of organizing themselves into a solid combination, which they have been unable to accomplish of late owing to the obstacles in their way. They evince the keenest desire for labour agitations in consequence of the very severe pressure brought to bear upon them by the capitalists, and also in face of the increasing difficulty of existence, which inevitably accompanies the social and economic progress of the country. Moreover, they are beginning to find reliable support in Socialism, and Socialistic movements are therefore heartily welcomed by them. Evidently there are in these phenomena the signs of a great revival of labour problems in the near future.

It may easily be foreseen that, as time goes on, the future aspect of the problem in Japan will be one of closer connection with political movements, for the Police Regulations now in force are not so severe with regard to political activities as they are towards labour movements. While the formation of a labour society is a difficult matter at present, there is no difficulty in organizing a political party. Under these circumstances, there is a natural tendency on the part of the labouring classes to come together under the banners of a political party in their attempts to make any movement under collective bodies, and gradually labour associations will be turned into political parties. Moreover, there is a strong reason for this tendency. This is the increasing influence of Socialism amongst the working classes, who have already begun to adopt its principles. In order to obtain its objects, Socialism will have to gain political support. In future movements, more efforts should be made in demanding a system of universal suffrage than in trying to bring about an increase of wages. A general agitation on a much greater scale, for demanding political power, should be more encouraged than isolated strikes for reducing the hours of the working day. All future movements must be of a political character, and the working classes should unite under a great political party with the object of counteracting the influence of the capitalists. No isolated movement against any particular capitalist or employer is to be recommended; on the contrary, it must be a contest of the masses against the classes. These are the methods, I think, which ought to be adopted in relation to the problems of the future, and by them alone can the difficult question be solved.