But
the Diet may put questions to the Ministers and demand open
answers from them before the public, and it may also present
addresses to the Sovereign setting forth its opinions.
"The Minister President of State is to make representations to
the Emperor on matters of State, and to indicate, according to
His pleasure, the general course of the policy of the State,
every branch of the administration being under control of the
said Minister. The compass of his duties is large, and his
responsibilities cannot but be proportionately great. As to the
other Ministers of State, they are severally held responsible for
the matters within their respective competency; there is no joint
responsibility among them in regard to such matters. For, the
Minister President and the other Ministers of State, being alike
personally appointed by the Emperor, the proceedings of each one
of them are, in every respect, controlled by the will of the
Emperor, and the Minister President himself has no power of
control over the posts occupied by other Ministers, while the
latter ought not to be dependent upon the former. In some
countries, the Cabinet is regarded as constituting a corporate
body, and the Ministers are not held to take part in the conduct
of the Government each one in an individual capacity, but joint
responsibility is the rule.
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