CABINET CHANGE IN JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22413, 28 May 1938, Page 15

CABINET CHANGE IN JAPAN

MR HIROTA RESIGNS OFFICE “ HEALTH UNEQUAL TO THE CRISIS ” GENERAL UGAKI NAMED AS SUCCESSOR ItnrTTED »KSS ASSOCIATION—ODPTEIGHT.) (Received May 28, 2 a.m.) TOKYO, May 26. As a result of a reconstruction of the Japanese Cabinet, ‘ General Kazusushige Ugaki will succeed Mr K. Hirota as Foreign Minister. Cabinet has issued a statement that Mr Hirota’s health is unequal to the crisis. The only other Cabinet appointments are: Minister for Education—General Araki, who was Minister for War during the invasion of Manchuria. Minister for Finance—Mr Seihin Ikeda, a former Governor of the Bank of Japan. Minister for Welfare—The Marquis Koichi Kido. This portfolio was created last year as a result of the Army’s request, and it has now been made a full-time post. • The Army regards Education as the key portfolio in the Ministry. General Ugaki and Mr Ikeda are reputed to be moderates. Patriots marked down both for assassination during the wave of political murders in 1932. The Emperor desired General Ugaki to be Prime Minister in 1936, but the Army opposed the idea because it feared that he might too drastically suppress political agitation by the young officer class. It is believed that the changes will immeasurably strengthen the Army’s hand, thus ensuring an end of differences over the China policy. It is expected that an Army nominee will shortly take over the War Office. Desire to End War It is persistently reported that General Sugiyama has resigned from the War Ministry, thus reducing the militarist strength of the Cabinet to four. The reconstruction is regarded as a triumph for the Prime Minister (Prince Konoye). It implies that the Russian bogy has been relegated to the - background, making possible a more intense exploitation of China based on Japan’s unassailable hegemony in the Far East. General Ugaki said: “I am going to do something to readjust our relations with foreign Powers, so wait and see.” Mr Ikeda’s appointment foreshadows that everything has been sacrificed for the sake of winning the war. The Associated Press learns that the Japanese Cabinet changes are considered the sequel to the inability to terminate the conflict with China. It has long been feared that as the situation became more difficult for Japan, she would make it more difficult for others. The vital question is whether Japan, believing that in the long run she will not subdue China, - will in desperation embark on a flat-out campaign, threatening international interests in the Fgr East and Pacific. The British and other Governments are closely watching for a favourable moment for mediation. NEW JAPANESE ATTACK ? WARSHIPS REPORTED OFF CHUNGSHAN ASSAULT ON CANTON THOUGHT TO BE LIKELY (Received May 28, 12.15 a.m.) HONG KONG, May 27. Chinese sources report that. 27 Japanese warships are lying off Chungshan, on the Kwangtung coast. There are also many armed trawlers and other small craft capable of landing troops. The Chinese are feverishly preparing to resist the expected invasion. They are of opinion that an attack on Canton itself is impending. Martial law has been declared in Chungshan and all non-combatants have been ordered to quit. CHINESE RETAKE HOTSEH THREAT TO JAPANESE REAR (Received May 27, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON. May 27. The Chinese Embassy announces that the Chinese have recaptured Hotseh and threaten the rear of the Japanese pressing on the Lunghai railway. Swarms of Chinese are engaging the Japanese at Linfang, and are turning the situation in China’s favour. JAPANESE ATTACK SWATOW STOUT RESISTANCE FROM CHINESE HONG KONG, May 26. Japanese marines are reported to be attacking the outskirts of Swatow, a South China treaty port between Amoy and Hong Kong. They are meeting with a stout umaigtatmo-.

DESIGNS ON CHINESE ORPHANS

INSTRUMENTS OF JAPANESE PROPAGANDA (Received May 27, 11 p.m.) HANKOW, May 27. Madame Chiang Kai-shek has drawn attention to the constant transportation of Chinese orphan children to Japan in order to educate them as eventual instruments of Japanese propaganda in China. The Chinese, therefore, are expeditiously rescuing orphans to prevent kidnapping. TIN CLIPPINGS FOR JAPAN SYDNEY WORKERS RESUME LOADING SYDNEY, May 27. Wharf labourers in Sydney yesterday loaded a shipment of about 2000 tons of tin clippings for Japan. Several months must elapse before the accumulated stocks can all be shipped. & ——————— ■" ■