CRISIS IN JAPAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1941, Page 5

CRISIS IN JAPAN

NEW CABINET FORMING PRINCE KONOYETOLEAD LONDON, July 17. The Tokio correspondent of the Associated Press pl Great Britain, however, says it is believed that the Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) might be commanded to form a new Cabinet excluding some former Ministers but including Mr. Shigemitsu, the formex - Japanese Ambassador' in London, as Foreign Minister. The Japanese Domei News Agency, reporting unofficially, states that the Emperor Hirohito has returned to the capital, showing that the political situation in the country has taken a grave turn. It adds that the decision to resign was taken in the absence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Matsuoka), who has not taken part in public life for some days. It is said that he has a “cold.” An emergency meeting of the Cabinet was held yesterday afternoon, and when it was over, the Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) went to see the Emperor. When he returned, he said that the Emper--0- had asked him to carry on until a successoi' could be appointed. It is pointed out in Tokio that there will be no change in the Government’s basic policy, which was announced when Japan recognised the puppet government of Mr. Wang Ching-wei in Nanking. Then it was stated that Japan’s policy was concerned only with the creatibn of a new order in East Asia, and the conditions under which Japan would be prepared to withdraw from China were Reuter’s correspondent in the Fax' East states that ihe Japanese Cabinet was sharply divided by the German invasion of Russia. He said that an extremist party was led by Mr. Matsuoka, and included the Minister fox- Wax- (Lieutenant-General Tojo), while the other section was led by the Ministex- fox- the Interior (Baron Hiranuma), and was supported by big business. Their policy was to make no move until the international situation was clearer. It is believed that the resignation of the Cabinet was forced by the extremists in the hope of gaining powex’ in the new Cabinet. Comment by the Tokio newspapers is restrained. The newspapers are not even speculating about the new Cabinet. , „ x ± * The “Daily Telegraph” states that the trouble in Japan was caused by the wax’ between Russia and Germany, which Heir Hitlex - had started, as usual, without consulting the wishes, interests, or commitments of his partners. Whatevex* Mr. Matsuoka’s position, he had signed the Non-Aggres-sion Pact with the Soviet, and must be embarrassed by mutual agreements with the two countries now at war. Civil opinion in Japan seemed to differ sharply from the military view. “COMPLETE MOBILISATION.”

LONDON, July 17. The bureau in Shanghai of the United Press of America learns from Tokio that complete mobilisation is going on throughout Japan. The destination of the troops is not certain. A message from New York says Press reports from several sources disclose heavy Japanese troop withdrawals from China to unknown destinations. Army sources admit chat Japanese troops are withdrawing from Canton, Swatow, and Hainan Island in south China, while at least one division has left the Shansi Province in central China. . It is increasingly believed in Chungking Government circles, says a correspondent of the “New itork Times', that Japanese troop withdrawals consisting of seven and a-half divisions, may be a prelude to new Japanese military and political action in the Far East, probably at Germany s behest. The vernacular newspapers in Tokio report that schools throughout Japan are remaining open tor an additional fortnight, thus relieving current overburdened transportation facilities by keeping students from che trains. OFFICIALS RESIGN. LONDON, July 17. An earlier Tokio message reports chat the Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Kenji fomita, the Legislation Bureau Chief, Mr. Naoki Murase, the Planning Board Chief, President Lieutenant-General Teiichi Suzuki, and the Information Board President, Mr. Nobumito, had resigned following the Cabinet resignation. „ , , The Information Board has announced that Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Mr. Kido, has called a conference of the Senior Statesmen, including the ex-Premiers, in order to listen to their views as to whom should be the next Premier. AGREEMENT REACHED. (Rec. 1.35 p.m.) TOKIO, July 17. The Domei Agency says that Prince Konoye has reached a complete agreement with the war and navy leaders on the formation of a new Cabinet, which will give precedence to Japans wartime structure. anglo-u.s.aTexpectations. (Rec. 10.45 a.m.) LONDOn' July 17. The selection of the Japanese Cabinet is expected to be completed by to-morrow night. Prince Konoye is being assisted by Lieutenant-Gen-eral Yeiichi Suzuki, head of the political division of the China Affairs Board. Two former Ministers, M. Tojo and M. Oikawa, have pledged support to Prince Konoye. It is believed in official quarters in London that Japan has decided on a policy of self-interest, not tying herself to either the Axis or the' Moscow Pact. Such policy would not exclude southward moves, confined to Indo-China and Thailand. There is reason to believe, says a Washington report, that Japan •is likely ‘to make a penetration m Indo-China and Thailand peacefully, namely, by occupation of strategic points’ on the ground of the necessity of maintaining peace there. Japan may arrange a convenient request from Thailand to take over the maintenance of order on the basis of an alleged admission by the latter of inability to do so themselves, with consequent danger of chaos. ine United States might overlook a more or less unobstrusive penetration on such terms, but there is reason to believe that overt seizures m these areas, with a spectacular display of military force, would compel a strong American remonstrance, this would mainly be economic, involving probably limitations on petroleum exports and restrictions on the silk trade. RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGNERS. (Rec 9.25 a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 17. The Associated Press correspondent reports that the Japanese Government has refused foreigners permission to travel from North China or Manchukuo by steamer to Kobe, until July 25. —U-P-A. SIBERIAN COAST-MINES.. (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) TOKIO, July 17. “Asahi’s” Moscow correspondent says that a representative of the Japanese Embassy has demanded an explanation of the Russian warning that the Siberian coast at Kamchatka has been mined. —U.P.A. - PANAMA CANAL DELAYS WASHINGTON, July 17. " Four Japanese merchantmen are in Cristobal harbour awaiting permission to pass through the Panama Canal to the Pacific. One has been held up since Saturday. The Under- Secretary of State (Mr.

Sumner Welles) said, delays in clearing Japanese ships in United State? ports arose from local circumstances. He denied official action. .BRITISH PREPARATIONS LONDON, July 16. Reuter’s correspondent in Singapore reports that the British Com-mander-in-Chief in the Far East (Sn Robert Brooke-Popham) said to-day. “Come what may, we are fully prepared.” He also said he was confident that whatever happened in the Far East, the British defences would not oe found wanting.