POLITICS IN JAPAN

Southland Times, Issue 20495, 25 May 1928, Page 7

POLITICS IN JAPAN

CABINET CHANGES ANNOUNCED.

CHINA POLICY UNALTERED.

Toklo, May 23. lhe domestic political situation which resulted in the reformation of the Tanaka Cabinet with the installation of a new Home Minister, Keisuke Mochizuki and a new Communications Minister, Fusanosuke Kuhara, has temporarily diverted attention from China. The Cabinet changes, however, are not considered essentially important being largely merely a reward for party workers and jiersonal friends of the Premier. lhe fact that no Foreign Minister has been appointed, the Premier continuing to occupy the foreign portfolio, is criticized in a considerable section of the Press which asserts that the present time is most vital for careful diplomacy and broad-gauged visualization of foreign affairs which the Premier cannot be expected to obtain owing to the multiplicity of his duties. There is no change in Tanaka’s China policy and with regard to Manchuria it is indicated in to-day’s despatches that plans for co-ordination of the defence of Pekin by international forces are being worked out in collaboration with the Pekin Legations and any dissensions will be eliminated. The American forces, however, are remaining independent and are unwilling to consider any suggestion of unified command. In the meantime the threatened major battle between the Northern and ; Southern Chinese forces is developing only ' slowly with scattered clashes over a wide area.—United Service.