HIGH JAPANESE POST

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 80, 28 December 1935, Page 11

HIGH JAPANESE POST

Viscount Saito Appointed (Received December 27. 1).5 p.m.) London. December 26. The Tokio correspondent of "Tlie Times” states that the ex-Piemier. Viscount Saito, has been appointed Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal in succession to Count Makino, who has retired for reasons of health. Count Makino’s moderation earned

the bitter hostility of the reactionaries, who realised that his position enabled him to advise tlie Empire on the highest matters. A young officer bombed Count Makino’s house in 1932 and his name appeared in every list of prospective, victims planned by so-called patriotic assassins. Yet his firmness was largeiy responsible for the maintenance of the Constitution against officers’ plots and Fascist agitations. Viscount Saito belongs to the same moderate school. Like Count Makino, Viscount Saito belongs to the Liberal group, and his appointment is regarded as strengthening peace forces. The change was kept secret to avoid protest by reactionaries who knew of it only after the Emperor had appointed Viscount Saito. Because of his nearness to the throne, the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal exercises great, though invisible, power. Ills official duties include custody of the Seal of State and supervision of the drafting of Imperial rescripts. His influence arises from the fact that he is the highest official with political experience In the Emperor’s personal entourage whose duty is to advise the Emperor on matters of State requiring the direct exercise of Imperial authority.