Evening star., 1939-04-23
japanese Circles
Growing Doubtful Of
Ties 10 Dictators
Premier Hirunumu for
Shift in Direction
Of Democrocies
BY FRANK H. HEDGES.

SSuSS
BY FRANK H. HEDGES.
TOXIC, April % (N.A.N.AD.-A
distinct trend away from Fascist
and Nazi doctrines and practices,
away from the present alignment
with Germany and Italy, is per-
ceptible In certain circles in japan
and they are circles of great i'm
portance.
Japan's experience since the con-
clusion of the anti Comintern pact
with Berlin, to which Rome later
adhered, has been none too COM
forting to many Of the leaders of the
Japanese nation. Others are still
steadfast In the belief that the fu-
ture Of this empire lies in co-opera-
ton, military If the necessity arises,
with the totalitarian states of Eu-
rope.
When Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma
took office as Premier early this
year IN succession to Prince Fumi-
marc konoye, the report was pub
lished IN some American newspapers
that he was Fascist, that Japan
would now become an absolute to-
talitarian state with a single politi-
cal party. Such reports were not
based on facts.
Fascfsts Friends of Hiranuma.
1t Is quite true that some of the
leading Fascists of Japan have long
been close personal friends of Baron
Hlranuma. and so superficial OBJ
servers jumped to the conclusion
that he agreed with their political
views. 1t was a case of "old dog
tray" Any one who has followed
the baron's career and public pro-
nouncements over the last two dec
AIDES, as has the present writer.
knows that he is fundamentally and
unshakably liberal at heart.
II other proof were lacking 1t
would be sufficient that Prince Ko-
move refused to resign as Premier
(Which he did not need to do) until
assured that liberal-thinking
statesman would succeed him. The
extreme Rightist home minister. Ad-
mlral Suyetsugu, had been ambitious
Tor the premiership. but Prince
konoye arranged the wholesale res
1gnation of his cabinet, the installa-
ton OF the liberal Baron Hiranuma
as his successor and the elimination
OF Admiral Suyetsugu from the gov
ernment.
The public In Japan realized fully
that Baron Hiranuma was no ex-
treme rightist. so it is unfortunate
this impression was spread abroad.
Developments of the last three
months must have done much to
Offset this error. Premier Hiranuma
has co-operated with the political
parties more closely than any non
party Premier since the start of the
trouble in old Manchuria. He has
respected the Diet, and the Diet has
respected him in turn.
Favors Neutrality Between Blocs,
Article II Of the national mobili-
zation law. limiting the earnings of
corporations. had been decided be-
fore Baron Hiranuma quit the pres
idency Of the Privy Council to as
sumo the premiership, so he had of
necessity to conform to this decis-
Ion. But Premier Hiranuma has
taken no single step voluntarily in
the direction Of making Japan a
totalitarian state. 1t is doubtful
whether this is realized abroad save
by a few close students of Japanese
affairs.
Premier Hiranuma has more than
once declared that there are two
blocs OF nations in the world-the
totalitarian and the democratic
and that Japan belongs to neither,
is antagonistic toward neither, be-
cause of her own peculiar spirit.
That is a splendid theory in words,
but the nation sof the world are
inclined to look at concrete facts.
When this is done it is seen that
the Japan of today is Enthusiastically
aligned with Fascist Italy and Nazi
Germany. No matter what the Pre-
mier may say, the fact remains that
Japan is signatory to the anti
Comintern pact. that German and
Italian flags are displayed through
out the empire side by side with the
rising sun, that sweet congratulatory
speeches are made among the
spokesmen of these three nations
Press and public seldom miss an
opportunity to condemn and belittle
Great Britain and France, although
America fares much better in this
respect. Soviet Russia" amounts
almost to curse on Japanese lips.
Hiranuma's Task Difficult.
And yet, Premier Hiranuma must
be given credit for what the Japan
ese are so fond of calling sincerity"
1t is fully evident that he believes
Japan has swung much too far in
the direction of the totalitarian
states of Europe and away from
the great democracies of the west,
and if he has his way he will reverse
this trend. 1t is difficult, probably
an impossible task that he has set
for himself, although sooner or later
1t must come if Japan is to maintain
her present position in the world.
When the signature of the anti
Comintern pact with Hitler's Ger
many was announced on November
Is. 1896, it came as a bombshell to
the Japanese public, and a tremend-
Even My Bones
Caa~ - A AoheO