Evening star., 1940-01-28
Japan's Military Clique Survives
Treaty Denunciation-So Far
Toxic Cabinet Change Disappoints u. S., which
Again Waits and Watches for Reversal
of Conquest Policy
By Constantine Brosvn,

There was good deal Of disappoint-
ment at the White House and in the
State Department when the reshufling
Of the japanese cabinet once more pro-
duced Mr.. Arita at the head of the Toxic
foreign Office.
Since last October. when unoficial
emissaries from Japan came to WASH
ington to sound out the administration
about the possibility Of an agreement
regarding China, the State Department
had looked forward to change of the
Japanese cabinet. Mr. Hulls men ex-
pected it to change not only in name
but also in form.
Information from Japan has indicated
In the last few months that there was q
growing discomfort in that country
against the army; that the campaign
against Chang Kai-shek had slowed
down to crawling pace; that the sub
jects of Emperor Hirohito could no
longer be fed on victory a week" diet.
In the meantime, expenses were mount
ing. Big businessmen in Japan, who had
wholeheartedly supported the military
party in the hope of quick returns, were
disgruntled. The middle classes were
dissatisfied because of shrinking business
and onerous taxation; the lower classes
wanted their boys back and had begun
to feet that the campaign in China could
not produce either more rice or raw fish.
1t was whispered in the ears OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt that all the military
needed was a blow from outside and
their prestige and domination of Japan's
political life would disappear. Since that
blow could not be given in a military
way-Chiang could fight only an unos-
tentatious guerrilla warfare-it was nee
essary to make the Japanese feel the
pinch in another manner.
Treaty Denunciation Course Taken.
The unexpected and spectacular de-
nunciation of the Japanese American
treaty Of commerce and amity of 1911
was the blow which should have unsad-
died the military from the high horse
they have been riding since 1881. The
treaty was effectively abrogated this
past week-January 26. With Europe at
war and unable to sell Japan any of the
raw materials she needs, or buy from
Japan any of the non-essential manu-
factured products she has been using as
means of exchange for raw materials,
the abrogation of the treaty of 1911 is a
sad blow to the empire of the Rising
Sun.
Ever since the United States Govern
ment announced its intention of termi-
mating that treaty. there have been feel
ers from the military Toxic government
about the prospects of another such
agreement on different terms The State
Department was -committal 1t never
encouraged the Japanese in the idea
that an advantageous treaty could be
discussed and signed at the present time,
but at the same time, it did not say
definitely that we would refuse to con-
slider constructive suggestions.
This meant in diplomatic language
that If the Japanese government could
see its way to make liberal political con-
cessions in China, withdraw its troops
from Marking Shanghai and Shantung,
allow the Chinese to establish free gov
ernment-even if Chang Kai-shek were
out of the picture-a really constructive
treaty of commerce and amity could be
reached between the two countries. It
meant that as long as the Toxic military
clique was in power, such an arrange
ment could not be signed. The friendly
approaches of the previous japanese
government were transmitted by Ambas-
sador Grew to Washington, but they
had a cold reception. The administra-
ton had been informed by trusted Japa-
nese sources that If it held out, the mill
tary would necessarily be replaced by q
liberal government more in sympathy
with the views of the American Gov
ernment regarding the Chinese MAIN
land
Watches Developments.
The cabinet of Nobuyuki Abe, with the
kindly and powerless Admiral Nomura
as foreign minister. resigned: The State
Department watched developments with
keen interest. The japanese had started
going through the labors of cabinet
changes and it seemed inevitable that
new government more liberal in form
must emerge. The colorless Yonai re-
ceived from the Emperor the seal of
Office. But when the news reached
Washington that the former Foreign
ONCE Arita was to be Yonai's foreign