JAPJN'S SWING FROM AXIS INDICATED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 7

JAPJN'S SWING FROM AXIS INDICATED

NEW POLICY

Cabinet Changes Signify

Independence

VS.a. ;i!111 rinliMi Win-loss,

Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON. July 18

Prince Konoye lias completed the formation of his new Cabinet. The notable change is the omission of Mr. Matsuoka, former Foreign Minister, and the appointment in his stead of Mr. K. Toyoda. The Cabinet changes are interpreted to mean that .lapan has repudiated Axis direction of her policy, but that she is still pressing on with her own ambitious aims in East Asia. The Cabinet is:— Prime Minister.—Prince Konoye. Foreign Minister.—Mr. Toyoda. Minister of War.—General Hideki To jo. Minister of the Navy.—Admiral kashiro Oikawa. Minister of Justice.—Prince Konove and Lieu tenant-General Koizumi. Minister for Overseas Affairs.—Mr. Toyoda and Lieutenant-Generai Suzuki. Minister for Home Affairs.—Mr. Tanabe. Minister of Finance.—Mr. Masatsune Ogura. Minister of Railways and Communications.—Mr. Shozo Murata. Minister of Commerce and Indus-try.—Vice-Admiral Sakonji. Minister of Education.—Mr. K. Hashida. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.—Mr. H. Ino. Minister of Welfare.—LieutenantGenerai Koizumi. Minister Without Portfolio.—Baron Hiranuma. President of the Cabinet Planning Board.—Lieutenant-Generai Suzuki. New Foreign Minister Welcomed The United Press correspondent at Tokyo says the Japanese Press views the dropping of Mr. Matsuoka with satisfaction, attacking his recent policies, particularly the Russian pact, and claims that what Japan needs is a man to see at least a year ahead. The Domei News Agency says it will be the new Government's mission to guide Japan along the lines of a free foreign policy. Third Powers unfriendly toward Japan may exploit the Cabinet change and broadcast false propaganda as though Japan's foreign policy will be altered, but this will be only wishful thinking.

British and American circles generally welcome Mr. Toyoda's appointment believing it foreshadows a more conservative policy. They point out that the Cabinet is strongly nationalistic and suggest that it is likely to follow an opportunist policy. They do not believe that the Cabinet will commit itself to conflicting treaty obligations.

Chinese newspapers contend that the chief motive for the reorganisation of the Cabinet is to tear up the neutrality agreement with Russia.

Strengthen Wartime Structure

The army and navy, in a joint statement have called on the nation to unite in the rapid strengthening of Japan's wartime structure. The main lines of national policy established at the Imperial conference on July 2 remain immutable and independent of the Cabinet.

General Yoshitsugu Tatekawa is reported to have handed the Russian Government a sharp protest against the establishment of danger zones in Japanese waters.

The attitude In authoritative circles in London towards the composition of the new Japanese Cabinet is reserved for the time being, and it is felt unwise to attempt to draw conclusions as to future Japanese action. The dropping of Mr. Matsuoka and pro-Axi.s extremists is, however, duly noted, together with the inclusion of the well-known exPremier, Baron Hiranuma. and the big business representative, Mr. Ogura.

Baron Hiranuma lias been known as a super-naturalist, but during his period of office as Prime Minister in 1939 he appeared to make genuine efforts to steer a middle course, harmonising the views of reactionaries and the more liberal elements. While the new Government's policy is still unknown, the preliminary disposition is to conclude that it will pursue ■a course strictly in accordance with purely Japanese aims-

On July 1. Prince Konoye told an interviewer that Japan would not be a partner to world conquest. The Japan-Axis Pact was only a defensive measure to keep Japan and the United States out of war, as Japan was anxious to maintain friendlv relations with the United States. He hoped that the Russo-German war would not aggravate the situation.

Mr. Matsuoka. former Foreign Minister, in a statement on July 2. indicated that Japanese policy was. for the time being, one of "watchful waiting." The Japanese Government, he said, must cautiouslv watch not only circumstances directly connected with the Russo-German war, but also with the world as a whole.

[By special rangeroem neuter's World Service In addition to other special source* of information is used in the compilation of the overseas Intelligence published in this Issue, and all rights therein In Australia and New Zealand are reserved. Such of the cable news on this page as Is co headed ha.i,appeared in -The Times" and is sent to thip paper by special permission. It should be understood that tht opinion* are not those ol •■Tiio Times'" uniest