PREMIER OF JAPAN RESIGNS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 94, 15 January 1940, Page 8

PREMIER OF JAPAN RESIGNS

War Minister Said To

Be Successor

REFUSAL BY PRINCE KONOYE

(Received January 14, 8.30 p.m.)

NEW YORK, January 13.

The Tokio correspondent of the American Associated Press says the Japanese Prime Minister, General Abe, has resigned. It is reliably but unofficially stated that the War Minister, Mr. Hata, will succeed him.

The Tokio correspondent of the United Press says that the exPremier, Prince Konoye, has lefused to succeed General Abe, asserting that his conscience would not permit him again to assume the Premiership. He said: “I lack the confidence and necessary economic and financial knowledge to handle successfully the future political situation. Mere popularity and high birth are not helpful in. solving Japan’s present problems.”

An earlier message stated that the Tokio correspondent of the United Press of America said that strong pressure was being exerted on Prince Konoye to form a Government to succeed that of General Abe, which was formed at the end of last August. In the event of a refusal, the Emperor would probably summon General Geu Suglyama or Mr. Hata. The immediate task of the new Government will be to implement the army’s programme of tapering the war in China and sponsoring Mr. Wang Ching Wei’s Government, . the proclamation of which may be further delayed.

PROPOSED EMBARGO ON ARMS FOR JAPAN

Great Interest In U.S.A.

(Received January 14, 9.15 p.m.)

NEW YORK, January 13.

The widespread interest and discussion regarding the statement by the former Secretary of State, Mr. H. L. Stimson, who urged the prohibition ot the export of arms, munitions and raw materials for armaments to Japan, is evidenced by the flood of letters to the “New York Times preponderantly favourable and characterizing assistance to Japan as discreditable to the United States. But the problems are approached cautiously. .. For example, the "New York Times, editorially answering criticism of the suggestion that it is desirable to seek the support of other Powers, stresses that joint action has greater moral significance than unilateral. Au embargo would necessarily have certain consequences beneficial in strengthening the Japanese moderates instead of driving them into the arms of the militarists and thence into the arms of Russia, thus ushering in a new chapter of Mill greater anarchy in Asia.

BRITISH POLICY IN CHINA

Sir Stafford Cripps’ Visit (Received January 14, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, January 13. The correspondent of the "New York Times” in Chungking says that. Sir Stafford Cripps, M.P., and Mr. W. IlDonald arrived by air today from Kuufing, whence they motored from Mandala v over the new Burma road. Officials attach importance to the visit and believe that their observations will influence British policy in China.

Mr. W. H. Donald is General Chiang Kai-shek’s Australian-born financial adviser.

CHINA SEEKS MORE CREDITS IN U.S.A.

Trade Increase Last Year

WASHINGTON, January 12. Mr. James A. Moffett, chairman of directors of the California and Texas Oil Company, had a conference wita President Roosevelt, after which he told the United Press that China was seeking additional credits from the United States to supplement the 000,000 dollars already extended by tne Export and Import Bank, making the overall credit 100,000,000 dollars. Mr. Moffett added that reports to bis company indicated that China was steadilv amortizing her original credit by exporting to the United States through Indo-China.-Commerce Department statistics for the first 10 months of 1939 show that United States exports to China were wortli 40,384.000 dollars. compared with 28.502.000 dollars in 1935. Imports from China totalled 46.647,000 dollars, an increase of 21 per cent, over 1938.