The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-26
ASWE[L PREDICTS7PEACE OF PACIFIC RETURN IF KAISER. AT STAKE IN RACE
 RULE IN GERMANY FOR PREMIERSHIP
Death Of Kato May Involve America In New Relations
 With Japanese Nation

James McClain. who recently returned to America after several years Of jour following size-up of the Japanese politl- cal situation it appears following the death of Premier Kato. McGlain stresses the importance of the affiliations of KatO's successor in relation to continuation of present American Iapa nese relations and preservation of peace in the Pacific,
 By JAMES NOLAN
 Copyright, 1928, By The United News.
 The death of Admiral Baron Kato, Japanese prime minister, has left situation in which the life of Japan's foreign policy, the Washington con- ference doctrines embodying arma- ment reduction, peaceful cooperation with China and abandonment of mili- tary invasion of China and Siberia in short, the peace of the Pacific are at stake.
 Selection of a man of the Kato type, statesman closely allied with the Satsuma or naval clan, as the next premier probably will be, means continuation of cooperation with the United States for peaceful develop ment in the Far East. However, should the two aged Genro, experts in the making and unmaking of cabi- cts, go to the clan of Yamagata, the Choshu, for their man, the old militar- istic clique, which originated the notorious 21 demands to China and later the Siberian invasion, will re- turn to power. And with 1t will some armed force, if necessary, in dealing with the mainland of Asia.
 sa1tO Seems Logical.
 Admiral Baron Minoru Saito, gov ernor- general of Korea, at first glance seems to be the most popular candidate for the premiership. This may mean but little, however, for soft ha logical premier, and each time he was dropped by the elder statesmen. Saito is popular because of his enlightened administration in Korea He is a naval man, staunch supporter of disarmament, great friend of the United States and of Christianity
 Baron kato's ministry was go- between, designated to fill gap until the Seiyugai, majority party. could regain lost prestige and to avoid plac- ing the KenseilSai minority, wit. It's militaristic tendencies, in power. For months plan has been on foot to in- ject Viscount Goto, former mayor of Tokyo, into the Seiyukai and let him succeed Kato, who wanted to resign. Goto. accordingly, took the lead for resumption of negotiations with Soviet Russia. hoping thus to be- come a popular Idol through success after failure in two attempts by
 
 kills the Goto boom, for the formal conference with Russia has been de- layed.
 Friendly To America.
 Goto and Admiral Baron Den, the Formosan governor, another caudi- date, like Saito, are more friendly than the average japanese statesman toward America and her ideals, and for years each has had a great in- terest in Christianity
 T. Noda, who rose 10 the Hara cabi- net from the humble station of a fish peddler and Dr. s. Mizuno, present home minister, find favor with the business interests, but attempts to finance to build new "Genro" can not materalize until tho death of princes Matsukata and Saionji, who still hold the reigns and are all powerful in reporting to the throne and in dictatng to the privy council.
 Viscount Takshira Kato, author of the 2l demands, is the strongest bid der for the premiership from the militaristic faction. but he has not found favor with the GenrO since the death of the military dictator, Yam agata. Viscount Tosuke Hirata, Lord Privy Seal and the late Yab- agata's lieutenant, would be a strong possibility had he not refused the post many times in the past.
 Hirata, however is an aide of el- der statesmen, as is also Admiral Baron Yamamoto oF the naval clique. Yamamoto, considered by many as the best premiership material in the country, Is eliminated by sthe famous naval scandal of 1914, which oc- cured while he was head of the gov ernment.