Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-04-22
Jopun's Cabinet Shifts

pleted by Premier Toto is not easy
to interpret. This is especially true
Of the change in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. The former incum-
bent, Masayuki TAM, was generally
considered to be the mere mouth
piece of the army clique, which con-
trolls Japan's destiny. He has been
replaced by Mamoru Shigemitsu, who
not only ranks as one of the empires
most accomplished diplomats but has
also been considered through most
of his diplomatic career as favoring
good relations with Britain and. the
United States. One of his early posts
was the consulate in Portland, Greg,
and he was Japan's Ambassador to
Great Britain down to the state of
war, which ensued after Pearl Har-
Dor, when Winston Churchill made
good his promise to stand by America
in case of Japanese attack upon U.S.
So marked a change at the Toxic
Foreign Office has led to some specu-
lation that the japanese Government
may be casting an anchor to wind
ward in case it's Axis partners in
Europe should presently be worsted,
and Japan left to the full brunt of
Anglo American retaliation. This
may be Tojo's motive, yet the Japa-
nese warlords can scarcely have any
illusions that they Could obtain a
peace which would leave them in
power or their predatory empire in
possession of its ill-gotten booty.
Neither, to outward appearances, is
the military situation in Europe so
desperate for Germany and it's satel-
lites that quick collapse can be
anticipated.
In lieu of this explanation, an
alternative Interpretation presents
itself, which looks more plausible.
This arises from another phase of
Mr.. Shigemitsu's diplomatic career.
Before going to London he was AM
bassador to Moscow, where he won
a good reputation for his professional
ability and became we'll acquainted
with Premier Stain, Foreign Com
missar Molotoff, and other Soviet
leaders. From this, the inference is
drawn that Premier TOTO may be
planning to use Mr.. Shigemitsu to
strengthen Russo-Japanese relations
and even to try and mediate between
the Soviet Union and Germany.
There have been intermittent rumors
to that effect for some time past, and
Shigemitsu would be we'll fitted for
such role.
Certainly, there are no current
signs of tension between the two
countries. The recent signing of a
renewed fisheries agreement without
undue haggling on either side is
paralleled by Japanese acquiescence
In the passage of Russian merchant
shipping across the Pacific from
United States and Canadian West
Coast ports to Vladivostok through
japanese territorial waters. Perhaps
the most significant evidence of
Russo-Japanese diplomatic stability
are reports of large-scale transfers
OF japanese troops from the Man
churlan and Korean frontiers of
Siberia to other parts Of the Japa-
nese empire. These reports are tacitly
confirmed by Major General Claire
L. Chennault, commander of our Air
Force in China, who recently made
them the basis of a discussion as to
whether the forces shifted from the
Siberian front are destined for use
in China, Burma or the South Pacific.
When Russo-Japanese relations were
tense, the Toxic high command was
known to have kept large proper
ton Of its best troops on the Siberian
border. 1t would hardly have weak
ened that force at this time if it an
ticipated trouble with the Soviet
Union.
1t is disturbing thought that
Japan is shifting some of it's crack
forces to crucial war theaters, just
at the moment when the imminence
of the monsoon season immobilizes
the Burmese front and General Mac
Arthur reneWs his warnings that a
big japanese offensive in the South
Pacific may be at hand.