JAPANESE CABINET

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 May 1928, Page 9

JAPANESE CABINET

NEW MEMBERS INSTALLED SITUATION IN CHINA. PLANS FOR DEFENCE OF PEKING (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) UNITED SERVICE.) Received 11.40 a.m. to-day. - TOKIO, May 23. The domestic situation which resulted in the reformation of the Tanaka Cabinet, 'with the installation of a new Homo Minister (Kesuke Mochiziiki) and a new Minister of Communications (Fusanosuke Kuharahao) has temporarily diverted attention from China. The Cabinet changes, however, are not considered essentially important, being largely merely a reward for party workers and personal friends of the Prime Minister. The fact .that no Foreign Minister has been appointed, the Prime Minister continuing to occupy that portfolio, is criticised in a considerable section of the press, which asserts that the present time is most vital for careful diplomacy and broad-gauged visualisation of foreign affairs, which the Prime Minister cannot be expected to obtain, owing to the multiplicity of liis duties. There is no change in Tanaka’s China policy, and with regard to Manchuria it is indicated in to-day's dispatches that plans for co-ordination in the defence of Peking by the international forces is being worked out in collaboration with the Peking legations, and any dissensions will be eliminated. _ American forces, however, are remaining independent, and are unwilling to consider any suggestion of unified command.

In the meantime, however, the threatened major battle between the Northern and Southern Chinese forces is developing, only slowly, with scattered clashes over a wide area.