JAPANESE ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 25768, 15 April 1946, Page 6

JAPANESE ELECTIONS

COALITION GOVERNMENT PROBABLE DISLIKE OF STATE SOCIALISM NEW YORK, April 14. With the counting of votes approaching completion and the power to appoint the first peace-time elected Government securely in the hands of the Conservative parties, Japan will probably be run by a coalition, says the Tokio correspondent of the ' New York Times.' Allied headquarters set at rest the fears of many Japanese that a Conservative triumph might cause the Allies to repudiate the election by describing the results as satisfactory, thus turning down the theory advanced before the Far Eastern Commission that the election should be postponed! until the_ Japanese were more politically conscious. Political leaders are already debating the fate of the Shidehara Cabinet. Whether it should resign en bloc or attempt to gain sufficient support from the newly-elected members' depends on a series of conferences which will be held in Tokio on April 19 and 20. Such a deal is possible because there is actually little to choose between 80 per cent, of the new members, who represent the dominant Conservative parties, and the minor parties and Independents. All dislike State Socialism.

Battle is likely to be joined between the Liberal leader, Mr Hatoyama, and Baron Shidehara, with the latter having the advantage of already being in power and enjoying General MacArthur's apparent confidence. On the other hand, Mr Hatoyama has the adivantage that the Liberals are closest to the Social Democrats, whose right wingers would not insist on State Socialism if offered the chance to form a Government. The Tokio correspondent of the • Herald-Tribune ' says Mr Hatoyama is already fishing in the Japanese Press for the support of other parties in a coalition, with himself as Prime Minister. The Associated Press of America says newspapers report a growing sentiment within the Cabinet for an early en bloc resignation. The spokesmen for the three leading parties have issued statements calling for the Cabinet's resignation.