JAP. POLITICAL CRISIS

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2 January 1924, Page 5

JAP. POLITICAL CRISIS

WHY CABINET RESIGNED

TOKYO, January 1

Statements by the Ministers of Education and Justice explain that the attempted assassination of the Prince Regent was so grave an affair that the Cabinet must resign in order to prevent the people from overlooking the seriousness of the situation, and in order to prevent political capital being made out of the affair.

Press comments practically agree that the Prime Minister, Count Yamamoto, has taken the only possible step. Count Yamamoto is in a serious condition of health, and newspapers bint that he is not likely to survive this second enforced retirement from the Premiership. His last Ministry was driven out as the result of a naval scandal in which extensive bribery was proved. His second Ministry saw the earthquake, followed by the attempt on the Regent's life.

The situation is politically complicated because of the hostility of the majority of the Diet against a non-party Cabinet, while tho majority itself contained no one acceptable for the Premiership. The fight toward constitutional Government under which the Cabinet will represent the elected majority seems certain to continue, 'whoever is called on to form a Government, while the urgent needs of reconstruction will be delayed. It is probable that the new Cabinet will call an immediate general election. NEW YORK, December 31. The Tokyo correspondent of the United Press of America states that, according to unconfirmed reports, Mr. Nambo. a member of the Lower House of the Diet, who is the father of the Prince Regent's assailant, has committed suicide to show his extreme anguish over his son's misdeed.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)