TWO GROUPS IN JAPAN

Evening Star, Issue 20998, 12 January 1932, Page 1

TWO GROUPS IN JAPAN

AN OLD STRUGGLE FORWARD POLICY IN MANCHURIA Behind the headlines of Japanese military advance in Manchuria lies a story of desperate struggle between the military and civilian elements—a clash which has run the gamut from opera bouffo to calumny and assassination (writes Upton Close, in the ‘ New York Times’). The present situation in Manchuria arises from the combination of an extreme threat to Japanese national interests, of personal exasperation of the military there by the hostile Chinese population and soldiery, and of the imperilled position in which the old-lino militarists found themselves at home. Without any one of these provocations the sudden coup of the night of September 18—deplored by Japanese Consular officials on the spot as confusing rather than clearing the issues—would not have been executed and affairs in Manchuria would now have a different complexion. • hen faced by foreign curiosity or intervention, the Japanese tend to present a 'united front, however bitter their internal struggles; they do not reveal to the, world their feelings toward one another or seek outside aid in their internal contests, as do some peoples. Only those who have closely, followed Japan’s constitutional and political development have been aware of the bitterness and importance of the struggle of Japan’s military to maintain' a dominant position in internal politico and foreign affairs'in the face of rising party government. THE TWO GROUPS. The “ military clique ” consists of an’ \ inner group in the army and navy, whose traditions go back directly to • Prince Yamagata, the founder of Japan’s modern military strength!; United with this clique is an organised group of reactionary politicians, publicists, and professional propagandists.; The leader of these, combined forces is General Minami, Minister for War. . The group we have designated “ civilian ” consists of the leaders of one or other of the larger parties—of late years the Minseito party—who find the insistence of the military _ upon obligarchic conditions entirely incompatible with the building of typical political party government. The effective leader of this group at present is Baron Shidehara, tlm Foreign Minister. • The military believe that Japan’s first 'necessity is to create an empire as groat in resources and markets as those at least of France and Holland, and 'that the surest trade is that which follows the flag. The civilian group feels that Imperial -expansion does not pay; as evidenced by the cases of Formosa and Korea, that trade is more important than empire, and that the way to get it is through conciliation of the peoples of the Asiatic mainland rather than appropriation of their territory,; There are other fundamental conflicts between the military and civilian’ attitudes which we must pass over lightly. The' militarists stand where the isolationists of America do, on the principle that no international commitments for peace or disarmament should be undertaken which limit the nation’s freedom of action. One might even say without injustice that the military clique refuses to admit the validity of such commitments on the. part of its own Government—a situation now made evident by _ the divergence between Japan’s military control of Manchuria and her' diplomatic talk in League circles. Naturally the military regard as little short of traitorous any attempts to cut their budget and to encourage disarmaments. POPULAR SUPPORT. Neither of ,the two contending factions can claim constant public support in Japan. The .popular strength of either depends on its good fortune in capturing the nation’s imagination' ■at the moment; other factors which' either group must consider are the attitude of big business and that of the more influential Privy Councillors who advise the Emperor. Big business was originally “ militaristic.” After the war there was a' change, some of the principal business leaders turning rather toward the,civilian attitude. But in the last few; months many of the financial and industrial leaders have become discouraged because Baron Shidehara’s conciliation policy has failed to win favourable conditions from the Chinese, and because of _ a self-seeking new Chinese boycott which originated with Shanghai manufacturers in midsummer.

Several of the Privy Councillors support the'military on all occasions. Those nearest the Emperor have been strongly, influenced by the world trend toward; peace and disarmament, and have' been very friendly toward Baron Shidehara’a earnest efforts to prove the practicality of the civilian attitude, but are also influenced by the conditions affecting thp great financial and business houses.