NEW CABINET IN JAPAN

Southland Times, Issue 24181, 18 July 1940, Page 7

NEW CABINET IN JAPAN

Pro-Axis Policy Expected EXPANSION TO SOUTH (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received July 17, 8.40 p.m.) TOKYO, July 16. The Japanese Cabinet collapsed before pressure, favouring a stronger foreign policy. Those exerting it visualized the establishment of a single unified pdrty which would co-operate with the Army. A crisis was precipitated during which General Hata, Minister of War and leader of the Army Group, informed the Prime Minister, RearAdmiral Mitsumasa Yonai, that the Army could no longer support the Cabinet. After conferring with the other members of the Cabinet and his advisers, Rear-Admiral Yonai tendered his resignation exactly six months after assuming office. The new Cabinet is expected to have a pro-Axis tinge and a stronger southward policy.

Prince Fuminaro Konoye is mentioned as likely to reassume the Prime Ministership, although some predict that Baron Hiranuma, a strong fascist and also a former Prime Minister, may assume office. Mr Shiratori and Mr Matusoka are mentioned as possible Foreign Ministers. It is learned in London that it is not expected that the resignation of the Japanese Government will have any great effect upon the Anglo-Japanese negotiations. Mr Suma, of the Foreign Office,' said that only minor details of the Burma agreement remained and it was expected that they would be settled before the new Cabinet was installed. He was at present awaiting the British reply No mediation or negotiations between China and Japan were at present in progress.' AMERICAN INTEREST In Washington the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, in a statement in response to newspaper inquiries, said: “The United States has a legitimate interest in keeping open the arteries of commerce throughout the world. It considers that such action as the closing of the Burma road, if taken, and such as has been taken recently in relation to • the Indo-China railway constitute unwarranted interpositions and obstacles to world trade.” This is regarded as indicating that Britain had not reached a decision and Mr Hull hoped that there would be a halt to British acquiescence. Twelve cruisers and a number of destroyers of the United States Battle Fleet left Pearl Harbour. It is thought that they may be patrolling the British and French islands in the south Pacific. The Nichi-Nichi Shimbun, in Tokyo, anticipates a Japanese alliance with Germany and Italy in the re-orienta-tion of Japan’s foreign policy for the purpose of disposing of the China incident, stabilizing East Asia and a policy of freedom from dependence on Britain and the United States. CHINESE AMBASSADOR CONCERNED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, July 16.

The Chinese Ambassador in London (Dr Quo Ti-chai) called at the Foreign Office yesterday to make representations on behalf of his Government about tlxe intention to impose restrictions for a period on the passage of certain classes of goods along the Burma road. Dr Quo Tl-chai called attention in this connection to the League of Nations resolutions on assistance to China with which Britain had been associated. He is understood also to have expressed some anxiety over the assumption in certain reports that the British Government’s efforts were at present directed to promoting early peace negotiations ir the Far East.

The Ambassador’s representions, which showed a full appreciation of the difficulties with which Britain is at present faced, are under consideration. In the meantime, it is pointed out that the British' Government’s desire to see the restoration of peace in the Far East has been unchanging and has been frequently expressed over the past few

years. It may be assumed that the only general settlement which the British Government would envisage with favour would be a just and equitable peace acceptable in China. The Ambassador stated: “It is difficult to understand the reported British attempts to mediate between China and Japan which could only have the effect of removing the chief obstacle to increased Japanese aggression against British interests in the Far East. China will not make peace till all the Japanese troops are withdrawn from China.”