Evening star., 1936-12-30
Member Of the Associated Press.
Japan's Foreign Relations.


Reports that Japan is contemplating
far-reaching shake-up in its diplomatic
representation abroad, including the
ambassadorship at Washington, symbol
lie the ferment now taking place within
the Toxic government in reference to the
empires foreign relations. Premier
Hirota and his cabinet have found them
selves under critical fire ever since rev.
elation of the German-Japanese agree
ment for cooperation against COM
munism. Wide sections of public opin-
ion, especially the liberal element. charge
the government with having been duped
or coerced by the militarists into COM
mitting Japan to an undertaking which
Is not only of no vital Importance to
her, but is capable of plunging the
country into remote and costly obliga-
tions, such as embodiment in German
Russian war and other European COM
plications.
The pact with the NaziS had immedi-
ate effects of definitely serious character
for Japan. Russia refused, as a result
Of it, to ratify the eight-year Siberian
fishery treaty on which the japanese lay
so much store. China simultaneously
broke off important negotiations at a
moment when Chang Kai-shek seemed
disposed to consider arrangements for
checking anti-Japanese agitation in
China. Amid all these trials and tribu-
lationS the Japanese se-Supported Manchu-
kuan-M -Mongolian raid into Suiyuan Prov
ince was effeCtually checked. Now comes
the restoration of Chang Kai-shek to
enhanced authority at Nanking, after
his farce-comedy capture by Chang
-liang, with every indication that
China's policy henceforth will be char
acterized by progressively stiffening
attitude toward japanese pretensions.
All these developments combine to
strengthen the hands of the liberals and
constitutionalists who, ever since the
Manchurian adventure in 1881, have
been waging more or less hopeless CAM
paign to check military domination at
Toxic. Now that the government finds
Japan's fortunes in Asia at skies and
sevens and her diplomatic status else
where especially in Great Britain, i'm
paired by the deal with Germany and
its immeasurable implications, the
groups which favor a less provocative
Japanese foreign policy are apparently
for a showdown. The newly assembled
Diet during the days and weeks just
ahead gives promise of resounding with
plain speaking about the straits into
which the empires external affairs have
been maneuvered. The result may be
the re-establishment and solidification
Of the foundations of parliamentary gov
ernment, with restoration of the system
whereby statesmen, and not military or
naval zealots, will direct Japan's rela-
tions, not only with the Far East, but
with the West as well. The consequence
can hardly be other than to bulwark the
cause of world peace, besides promoting
economic progress at home.
Victory over the soldiers and sailors
will not easily be won, but it is hopeful
sign that the civilian forces seem deter
minded, on a scale unwitnessed during
the past five years, to assert themselves
as the duly authorized arbiters of Japan's
international activities. The potent in
fiuence Of the Emperor and his Privy
Council are believed ready to be welded
in the direction of moderation and con-
ciliation. That is distinctly an augury
for good.