A correspondent of the Times gives an illuminating account of
the present position of politics in Japan. The "elder statesmen" who managed the " Restoration " of the Mikado's power are now reduced to three,—Marquis Ito, Marquis Yama- gata, and Count Matsukata, who have hitherto held together, and have, as a rule, controlled the Legislature and the policy of the country. The Mikado, however, acting from motives not fully revealed by the correspondent, has now ordered the three nobles to accept seats in the Privy Council,—that is, to advise the Sovereign without offices or seats in the Cabinet. This is considered a great change, even though the new head of the Liberal party, Marquis Saionji, is a disciple and protégé of Marquis Ito. Changes in Japan may very soon be of much importance to Great Britain, but one would under- stand them better if any one would explain accurately the precise position of the Mikado. He is in theory an absolute Sovereign, and can rely on the support of the Army and the masses ; but there are practical limits to his autocracy. What are they ? Is he, in practice, a Monarch like the German Emperor, or like the King of Italy, or like the King of Great Britain ? It is whispered, for instance, that he must declare war on Russia because his people desire it ; but is that true ?
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