JAP. COALITION?

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21997, 15 April 1946, Page 3

JAP. COALITION?

SEQUEL PRESENT CABINET FATE NOT DECIDED (10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Ap. 14. With the counting of the votes approaching completion and the power to appoint the first peacetime elected Government securely in the hands of the Conservative parties, Japan will probably be run by a coalition, says the New York Times correspondent in Tokyo. Allied Headquarters has set at rest the fears of many Japanese that the Conservative triumph might cause the Allies to repudiate the election. Headquarters has described 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. The political leaders are already debating the fate of the Shidehara Cabinet. Whether it should resign en bloc or attempt to gain sufficient sup port from the newly-elected members depends on a series of conferences which will be held in Tokyo on April 19 and 20. Such a deal is possible because there is actually little to choose between the 60 per cent of the . new members who represent the dominant Conservative narties and the minor parties and Independents. All dislike State Socialism. Leaders’ Bid for Support The 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 an advantage in that the Liberals are closest to the Social Democrats, whose Right Wingers would not insist on State Socialism if offered a chance to form a Government. The New York Herald-Tribune’s correspondent in Tokyo says Mr. Hatoyama is already fishing in the Japanese press for" the support, of other parlies'in a coalition, with himself as Prime Minister. The Associated Press says the newspapers report growing sentiment within the Cabinet for an early en bloc resignation. The spokesmen for the throe leadin'* parties have issued statements calling 1 for the Cabinet's resignation.