Evening star., 1938-02-24
TOXIC DIET REBELS
|NUPR0AR AGAINST.
MOBILIZATION BILL.
Plan Carries Wide Power for
Marsha|ing Business and
Citizens.
HIROTA FAILS TO REPLY
DURING BITTER ATTACKS
Lower House, Once Recessed, Is
Later Adjourned as Disorder
Is Resumed.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Japan has already taken long
steps to1pard mobilization OF busi-
ness and industry, sharp restric-
tions already hauing been applied
to foreign trade and exchange. Epi-
dence has been grouing OF dissat-
istdction among japanese people
NTH progress OF ,Oar in China.
Three army leaders hare been re-
i. placed II, an effort to stimulate the
conquest of East Central China.
defended BY 400, 1000 troops.
Ry the Associated Press
TOXIC, Feb. 24.-The nationa
mobilization bill, which would give
the government broad wartime con.
troll of business, finance and the pri-
vate lives and property of the citizens
brought bitter, uproarious rebellion in
Parliament today.
In one of the most turbulent scenes
Of japanese parliamentary history
members of the Lower House hoWled
for Foreign Minister Koki Hirota to
answer questions put by Takao Saito
legal expert. Members opposing the
bill argued it was unconstitutional.
Hirota attempted to have Masao
Taxi, president of the Planning Board,
answer the questions, but members of
the House shouted him down. The
speaker recessed the House to quell
the disorder.
Later Justice Minister Suehiko
Shiono replied for the government and
new disturbance developed before
the House adjourned overnight.
Near-Riot Early in Debate.
A near-riot marked the first five
minutes of debate on the mobilization
bill.
Under the proposed law. the govern
ment would have wide, wartime con-
troll and would be able to appropriate
personal property.
The measure also may cause
japanese citizens "to be engaged in
general mobilization of business" 1t
contains stern, detailed restrictions on
foreign trade and internal and ex-
ternal banking
One article would give the govern
ment the right completely to suppress
Cabinet Crisis Forecast.
A cabinet crisis was predicted if the
government attempted to submit the
bill to vote in its original form. 1t
has been referred twice to a planning
board for amendments.
Premier Prince Fumimaro konoye
was absent from the session because
of illness, so Hirota opened debate.
I'm view Of the current situation"
he said. "the government has felt the
necessity of giving legal basis to en-
forcement of national mobilization.
The aim of the law is to supply army
and navy officers and men with
sufficient war materials"
Saito, fiery leader OF the Minseito,
Lower Chamber majority party. then
hedpeu 10 Cne rOStIum ana declared
he believed the bill was in conflict
with the imperia! constitution.
And to run off this path (of the
constitution would be high treason
against the state" he added.
Foreign Examples Cited.
Saito charged the government had
followed foreign examples in draft
in the measure. Citing what he said
Vas Germany's grand law" he de-
clared, THE Nazis' law is inseparably
related to this law" and added that
''it may be convenient for the govern
,ment, but it is not necessarily con-
venient for the nation
Instead of rising to reply. Hirota re-
mained seated. Diet members began
to hoot and shout, defying the Speak
er's efforts to maintain order.
A resolution was submitted declar-
ing that the foreign minister was
trying. to dodge the responsibility
OF answering and questioning the
governments sincerity.