The Cordova daily times., 1923-03-26
KATO BOLD NOW, BUT TO QUIT AS
 JAP DIET ENDS
Maintains Composure in Face of Frequent
 Attacks
HOLDS ON TO PORTFOLIO
Row Started With Privy Council; Out After
 Uchida's Scalp

TOXIC, March 26-The first weeks of the annual Diet session have failed to make dent in the front displayed by the administration of Admiral Baron Kato, the premier The opposition in both houses re- peatedly requested that the premier assume responsibility for this or that thing and, with his Cabinet, resign. But the cool voice of Baron Kato always replied firmly in the mega tive. In fact, he is changed but little, save that illness and the cares of state have added to his gray hairs and the wrinkles on his face. After Cabinet, Too
 The Privy Council is out after the Cabinet, too, if necessary, but the only scalp really sought is that of Count Ifchida, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Japan has been gripped re- gently by a so-called critical dispute between the Cabinet and the Privy Council The public has swung this way and that, but to all outward appearances, the Cabinet was not perturbed beyond discussion of the matter. The dispute came when the Cabinet, pursuing Premier Kato's Washington conference policy, ne- gotiated treaty with China for the withdrawal of Japanese post offices from China and did not consult the Privy Council until the agreement was signed. Few treaties have been concluded in this manner. For the most part the Privy Council consists of gray haired statesmen whose for mer part in Governor affairs makes them think they should be consulted on every move by the Cabinet. EX plantations and apologies settled the matter, after the Privy Council ap- pealed to the throne and the prince regent, so far as is known, upheld Premier Kato. Then the council discovered that at one time the gov ernment said that the treaty became effective upon it's signature at Pe- king and at another time declared it went into force when the prince regent gave his sanction. The Cab- inet refused to oust Count Uchida, but the matter was settled until the Diet is over.
 Council Powerful
 While functioning but little, the Privy Council has great powers, and to incur it's displeasure means trouble for any administration. For that reason it is lucky for Premier Kato that he has smoothed things over for the time being. When the Diet ends that body probably will go after Count Uchida
 That suits Premier Kato perfectly and the Seiyukai, majority party, too But he expects to beat them to it. The premier has planned for months that his ministry should re- tire from office upon completion of the Diet session, provided the Seiyu- kai is strong enough at that time to resume the reigns of government. Unless some mishap should cause the majority party trouble it will organ ize a Cabinet in the latter part of April on the first of May and, with the aid of the surviving Genro, be ready to take over the government when Premier Kato retires. And he will resign when the Seiyukai-and the Genro-tell him to do so for a number of reasons, among which is his own conviction that his non-party government is retarding the prog ress of constitutional government in Japan. Of course, in a pinch lack of such conviction wouldn't save him, but he has it, anyway.