Evening star., 1933-09-10
Japan's War Lords.


During the past two years there has
been no lack of evidence of the extent
to which japanese militarists dominate
the government and life Of the island
empire. But nothing quite so startling
In its proof of their omnipotence has
been forthcoming in a long time as late
news from Toxic that the situation is
moving toward annihilation of the po-
litical parties.
The New York Herald Tribune Is in
formed by its Toxic correspondent that
Gen Arski's men with the sword" have
practically served notice that If the par
ties fail to agree to efface themselves
and approve without question the colos-
sal military and naval appropriations to
be laid before the Diet in December the
war lords personified by Gen. Araki may
dispense altogether with political gov
eminent and set up dictatorial cabinet
amounting to a military autocracy.
Something savoring of an ultimatum to
that end appears to have been sub
mitted to the present cabinet by the
militarists. The cabinet has been di-
rected to seek the united support of the
parties for the heaviest military and
naval budgets in japanese history. II,
as the Diet sessions approach. the gov
ernment discovers that 1t cannot COM
mand the needed support, it is virtually
under warning that it will have to
make way for dictatorship which
would in all probability dispense with
the Diet.
An cmen CT what NAV be ahead has
been given b. Gen. Arak!. the all-dom-
mating minister Of war, in, a newspaper
interview. Big changes are in store
for the nation within the next three
months" he said. Il predict that,
within this period you will be amazed
by the radical transformation on all
sides. Need I remind you that the
men OF the sword are the wholesome
elements Of the nation. while the busi-
ness men are experienced warriors in
the sphera of economics? This is no
time for jndulging in partisan politics
Men in all walks of life should present
a truly united front That Is the only
way to pull through the present dif1i-
Guilty"
Gen. Araki's reference to warriors in
the sphere Of economics" is thrust at
the business leaders of Japan. who have
viewed with increasing alarm not only
the rising deficits in the national bud
get due to swollen armaments and
costly military adventures in China but
the unbearable burden Of taxation these
policies have put upon the backs of the
japanese people. Business leaders too
are alarmed by the suspicious of Japan
aroused abroad and by her loss Of in
terna .ACal repute in consequence Of
sss Manchurian affair and the con-
demnation of the League Of Nations
One Of the main reasons why Gen
Araki fears a Diet discussion of the
new army and navy appropriations now
pTOpOotu Is tIldl SpOkeSuleIl Ol UOtIl uld-
jor political parties. the Seiyukai and
the Minseito are known 40 be resent
full Of the domination of the present
government by the militarists and
would rejoice at the opportunity afford
ed by Diet discussion to give Japan's
financial plight thorough airing for
the benefit of the tax-paying public,
That is prospect which the Arakis do
not relish.
Apparently what the militarists crave
is something akin to that which has
prevailed under Mussolini in Italy and
more recently under Hitler in Germany,
whereby constitutional membranes
like political parties will no longer ham
per men of the sword" who would rule
supreme and interchangeable. 1t is not
prospect carrying any promise for the
oppressed Japanese people or for the
peace Of the world.