Evening star., 1934-02-01

The resignation of Gen. Araki. chief
of the Japanese military staff. and
peace statements by Foreign Minister
Hirota before the Imperial Diet are in
terpreted in the United States as evil
dence that the anti-militarists in the
island empire are making gains.
Speaking of Gen. Hayashi, successor
Of Araki, the Sacramento Bee suggests
that his appointment may be the first
step toward liberating Japan from the
extreme militarists, who have domi-
mated the national life for the last two
years" The Bee explains that Araki
"counseled the Manchurian conquest
and advised the break with the League
of Nations" while Hayashi realizes
that a protracted struggle with a great
power would leave Japan exhausted
even though he Is an "uncompromising
soldier and part Of the military
clique" The Minneapolis Tribune holds
that "Hayashi represents compromise
between the peace and military ele-
ments," as It refers to Araki as a fire
brand" and estimates that the con-
ciliatory speech OF Foreign Minister
Hirota was of more than casual sig
nificance."
Civilian elements are apparently
gaining ground" AYERS the Philadelphia
of the situation: The statesmen who
fought for ratification of the Wash
ington and the London naval treaties
and Of the Kellogg pact, belong as
much in the Japanese picture as the
militarists. Such men. whose influence
in the present cabinet seems increas-
ing. represent a large body OF lntelll-
gent, liberal public opinion in Japan.
the opinion Of men who are in favor OF
arbitration, conciliation. equable treat
ment of China, and amicable relations
with the rest Of the world. Their in
f1uence at home Is strengthened by for
eign recognition of their good faith"
Wisdom clearly dictates a policy OF
peace" according to the Boston Tran
script. and that paper offers the judg-
ment as to reasons for the apparent
japanese attitude: For the present the
situation in Eastern Asia is of kind
to dictate a policy of conciliation. Japan
has, in principal measure. what she
wanted. 1t is now a question of being
let alone to make the most OF 1t. The
Interpretation of Japanese policy will
not, of course, be accepted by those
who are convinced that In her bound
less ambition she would welcome war,
or even deliberately provoke it. But
it is an Interpretation in accord with
what are clearly the best interests OF
Japan as matters now stand"
The Gary Post Tribune Is sure ia
pan knows that its warlike attitude Tor
the last year made a bad impression
on the world"
"It must be remembered thinks the
Rochester Times-Union, that in Japan
neither the army nor the navy is re-
sponsible to the civil government OF the
Diet, but directly to the Emperor.
Whether the retirement OF Araki from
the Japanese scene really means
change of policy or merely Of person
ality will doubtless be made clear by
the future development of japanese
policy toward Russia and the United
States"
Observing an "anti-militarist day in
the Japanese Diet. the Oakland Tribune
concludes that "it is not likely ad-
dresses of the kind delivered there
would have been we'll received q few
months ago." The Miami Daily News
suspects that increasing obstacles in
the way Of Japan's adventurous policy
caused civilian elements to stiffen in
opposition" The Danbury News-Times
records that exterior signs are many