Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-20
JAPAN IS ON VERGE
OF FASCIST COUP
Disgust With Parties May
Lead to National Cabinet
as Alternative.
BY Radio to The Star.

By Radio to The Star.
TOXIC, March 19-Japan Is on
he verge of Fascist domination, but
without Mussolini or a Hitler and
unlike any existing elsewhere
This movement is patriotic and ul-
trapatriotic, yet extremely socialist and
especially anti-capitalistic. 1t will be
under the control of the dominant
army faction, yet the army at pres
ant is not instigating the movement
In order to grasp the remarkable
kaleidoscope changes here. it is essen
tial to understand the peculiar psy-
chology dominating the country. The
japanese sincerely believe they are 100
per cent right in their relations with
China and that they are fighting the
cause of justice and Righteousness in
the Far East. The masses are dis
gusted with all the political parties,
and have been so for years, regarding
the politicians as corrupt and self
interested and allied with the CAPT.
talistic interests.
Many Societies Exist.
Hundreds of reactionary societies ex-
list, with large and even influential
memberships. These have been previ-
ously unsympathetic with the militar-
lists. but at the present moment pa
triotic ferver is making the army re-
esrded as unself1sh protectors OF the
imperial regime.
The dominant army faction sincerely
believes itself at this time to be the
sole repository of the old imperial tradi-
lions and opposes the political parties
and capitalism.
On the other hand, there is no po-
htical leader or statesman IN Japan to-
day who inspires public confidence and
support. Prince Kommichi Saionji,
last surviving Genro, or elder states
man. has spent 10 days in Toxic con-
ferring with the leaders OF all parties
and with army generals.
The Diet convened yesterday for a
five-day session in oreder to pass the
extraordinary military budgets follow
ing the overwhelming Seiyukai party
election victory, and yet it is known
that following the Diets adjournment
an attempt will be made to form a
national cabinet with the hope that it
will stave of a Fascist coup d'etat.
There is q growth on the body polite
to which poultice may be applied, but
no surgeon is skillful enough and big
enough to perform a major operation.
The symptoms may subside with the
AUDuCdLlOll O1 q POu1O4OCy bub 1A4o1 IA
only q hope, even If and when thi;
national cabinet materializes.
Would Seek Cooperation.
Wellanformed opinion holds that
such a cabinet would not attempt %
control but rather would cooperate
more completely and understandingly
with the militarists than since the
Manchurian outbreak. Japan has a
well-defned objective in Manchuria,
but the Shanghai incident is consid-
cred accidental The army and the
nation want to get out of Shanghai,
but not at the sacrifice Of national
honor.
economic opposition and pressure
from abroad, especially from the
United States, have all played into the
hands Of the Japanese feactionaries,
creating a psychology Of desperation
and disregard for consequences. As
sassinations and plots have created a
fear complex, and no newspaper or
leader dares to come out and oppose
the present trends.
An emotional wave Is sweeping the
country and criticism of Japanese poll
icy Is both unwelcome and dangerous.
(Copyright, 1922