Evening star., 1936-03-07
The HirOta Cabinet.

AlCcT SLIcIluOuS ScdlCil 1OI y SVdtCo~
man equal to the emergency created by
recent convulsions in Japan, the pre-
miership was bestowed upon Koki
Hirota, foreign minister in the late
Okada cabinet. But his plans for con-
structing new government have
promptly been blocked. and possibly
wrecked, by army elements which dis
like some Of his moderate cabinet selec-
tions. They have influenced Count
Terauchi, proposed as war minister, to
withdraw from the slate and threaten to
permit no other general to join the gov
ernment unless their terms are met.
Hardly any development could so
graphically uncover the army's purpose
to hold fast to its traditional authority.
If Hirota, or some other premier, yields
to the militarists, all hope of maintain
ing civilian supremacy can be aban-
doned. The way to army dictatorship
will be wide open.
Though hampered by the dual diplo-
macy resultant from militarist interfer-
ence, Mr. Hirota for two and half
years conducted Japans foreign rela-
tions with a conservative hand. His
policy withstood the strain of grave
border incidents with the Soviet and
the recent adventure in North China
was brought to a relatively innocuous
end. Mr.. Hirota's cabinet selections,
now suddenly jeopardized, betokened an
earnest desire to establish civilian con-
troll. Shigeru YoShida, former AM
bassador, was chosen as foreign minister.
Both in Japan and quarters abroad
where he has been on duty Mr.. Yoshida
is regarded as a sincere exponent OF
international cooperation, who is dis
posed to mold Japanese policy along con-
ciliatory lines. His appointment in par
ticular incurs militariSt ire. Two we'll
known liberals were given places, in the
persons of Mr.. Matsudaira, former Am
bassador to the United States, who was
named imperial household minister, and
Mr.. Yuasa, appointed lord keeper of the
privy seal. AS ministers with constant
access to the Emperor, the presence OF
men of their views close to the throne
would be factor of prime Importance.
Elevation of an experienced banker, Mr..
Baba, to the ministership of finance,
was another indication of the projected
new governments sound purposes.
Selection of Admiral Nagano fresh
from the leadership of Japan's boiling
delegation at London, as naval minister,
and of Count Terauchi, scion OF
famous army house, as minister OF war,
were designed to carry assurance to
the militarists that Japans destiny" on
land and sea would not be altogether
lost in the cabinet shuttle. But, as events
are proving, the soldiers are not ap-
peased. Other cabinet posts were as
signed to members of rival political
parties as an obvious gesture to con-
ciliate all groups.
Despite the cabinet deadlock there is
manifest at Toxic a distinct trend from
army domination. 1t has at once Deen
demonstrated that militarists' influence
is far from wiped out. They may plainly
be depended upon to seize favorable
opportunity to reassert their preten-
sions. The records of Messrs. Hirota
and Yoshida justify confidence that, If
they contrive to retain Office, they will
seek to lead Japan along peaceful lines.
1t is decidedly something gained for the
cause of pacific development in the Far
East that statesmen imbued with their
spirit have been placed at the helm,
ephemeral as their tenure may prove to
be. Their efforts to curb the war lords
will be fraught with difficulty and
watched with sympathy by the outside
world.