Evening star., 1938-05-29
Bv FRANK H. HEDGES.


TOXIC, May 20 tN.AN.A). .-Koki
Hirota's disappearance as foreign min
lister and the succession of Gen. Kazu-
shige Ugaki in that post this week can
only mean a strengthening of Japanese
foreign policy. particularly as 1t con-
Germs China.
Gen Ugaki, who is leader of the
moderate group of militarists, evi-
IDENTIFY is being schooled to follow
Prince Konoye as the next premier
which means the uniting Of all po-
litical elements in Japan.
Japans real battle in China is not
anti-Chinese, but anti-Western espe-
cially as it opposes British influence
in China. Under Foreign Minister
Ugaki this anti-Western policy may
he expected to be stiffened. in con-
trast to the "weak-kneed foreign poll
cy" which. the japanese press has
asserted. characterized the regime Of
Koki Hirota.
Hirota Downfall Predicted.
Hirota's downfall was predicted re-
Gently when criticism OF him came
into the open, as the Hochi Shimbun,
one of Tokio's principal newspapers,
editorially attacked the whole per-
sonnel and structure of the foreign
Office and the diplomatic service.
The Hochi insists that there must
be a drastic reorganization OF the
foreign service, based primarily on
Japan's policy toward China, and
that even the organic structure OF the
ministry of foreign affairs must be
altered. There can be little doubt that
the foreign Office under Hirota has
been the most unpopular Of all the
departments of the government for
months past.
An unbiased view of the situation
must admit that the weakness OF the
foreign office policy could not be laid
entirely to the foreign office ITSELF
With the army and the navy. par
ticularly the army, in the saddle, the
foreign Office has been compelled to
follow the lead. accept the dictates
and carry out the mandates OF the
war office on more than one occa-
sion. This has been the case ever
since the Mukden incident OF Septem-
Der 18, 1881, but has been emphasized
since the outbreak of hostilitles with
China on July Z, 1887.
It is only too true that often the
war Office, or even the japanese Army
actually in the field, acts first in mat
ters of foreign policy and then IN
forms the foreign ONCE Of what II
has done.
Hirota's Second Term.
This was Hirota's second term as
foreign minister. He was SO popular
during his first term that. Immediate
ly following the crisis created by the
military insurrection of February g.
20. 1896, he went in as premier after
that office had been declined by its
present incumbent, Prince Konoye, on
the grounds of ill health ,
The Hirota cabinet was wrecked
early in 1887, when Premier Hrota
insisted that his government resign
because of bitter attacks from the
liberal. anti Fascist forces in the
House of Representatives. A few
months later. when Prince Konoye
formed the government still in power
Hirota was recalled to ONCE as 1oI-
eien minister, But his star had al.
ready set. The outbreak OF unomclai
warfare in North China enabled the
entire japanese public to perceive TINS
fact. and. instead of the applause
which he once enjoyed, Hlrota was
forced to listen to biting criticism.
Along with the attacks on the min
istrv of foreign affairs and It's policy
abroad arose a demand that new
government organization, to be known
as the Central China organ, be ere
ated n deal with China affairs. The
army is heartily IN favor o' su'n !"
step.
Nh Agreement Reached.
A. vet there has been no agreement
m met what this Central China Or
oan will, be nor how extensive Will be
the powers accorded it. Its most ar
dent champions would place 1t ollectiy
Under the cabinet. would charge II
with the conduct of all Japans rela-
t;ons lions With China save military and
would v even give it the direction OF the
economic development Of that repub-
lie with japanese capital and sucn
capital as Japan may be able to raise
abroad for this purpose.
Hirota did not attempt to block the
creation Of Central China organ, ou. Ut
he sought to have it placed under M ms
ministry instead Of directly under tne
cabinet Now he is out. and the DOM
inant element in the army Is openly
in favor Of strengthening the Central
China organ. The Japanese army mas
become quite accustomed 70 gettng-
| or even taking-its own way during
the past seven , ye. .,...,A. .s,.t
! The HocM eoi1san ooas1nds sss