Evening star., 1945-08-17
TokvoActs AfterGen. Macarthur
Tells Government to Quit StaI|inq
Higoshi-Kuni
Is Sworn In as
Cabinet Head
By the Associated Press.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. IT,
Gen. Prince Naruhiko Higashi-
Kuni was sworn in as Japan's
new Premier today and in his
first official act as Premier-War
Minister ordered the army to
strictly observe" an imperial
rescript to lay down it's arms.
THE decision has been taken to
cease fire and return to peace" he
declared.
The new postwar cabinet, in which
the royal Premier who, himself, may
be tried as war criminal, retained
the war portfolio. went into session
Immediately after it was sworn in.
Signing Of Peace First Duty.
The japanese Domei news agency
quickly went on the air with the
that the first duties
of the new cabinet would be the
signing of the surrender, or "the
peace terms" and "fulfillment of
the Potsdam declaration to be en-
forced"
The first meeting of the cabinet
lasted an hour and a half, Domei re-
ported, and was taken up principally
with the premier's plea for full CO.
operation from his ministers.
Once. we have laid down our
arms" said the broadcast recorded
by FEC, I'VE must take up matters
with absolute calmness. If there
should be any incident in violation
OF his majesty's command, We will
lose the confidence of the world.
The new cabinet must see that the
work Is carried out with great care.
THE second thing which we must
bear in mind is that We must re-
cover ourselves from the ravages of
war and plunge into the work of re-
construction at the earliest possible
moment"
Policy Given by Emperor.
Gen. Higashi-Kuni announced to
his cabinet three-point basic policy
respect of the constitution, control
OF the military and maintenance of
order" Domei said.
: The news agency quoted the
prince as saying the policy was per
sonally given by his majesty, the
Emperor, when the imperial com.
mand was given to form a new
After the cabinet meeting, Domei
said, the Premier broadcast to the
Japanese people a warning Ito
guard against emotional outbursts
and live up to the letter and spirit
of the imperial rescript."
Friendly Relations" Sought.
The purported broadcast was not
heard by the FEC, which recorded
Domei's paraphrase promising that
free speech and fair public opinion
will be encouraged and the liberty
of sound association will be en-
dorsed.
Efforts will be made the prince
was quoted as saying. Ito carry into
practice the imperial order to main
tain friendly relations with the rest
of the world.
The greater the sufferings and
hardships which the Japanese must
endure hereafter, the more glorious
will be the new Japan which will
come out of the present national
crisis"
Three Members Retained.
The cabinet, scheduled to be the
first ever to function under an
alien occupation force, includes min
listers of munitions and of Greater
East Asia-both of whose functions
would be eliminated by official sur
render.
Domei agency said the cabinet in
cludes three members of ousted
Premier Kantaro Suzuki's last war
cabinet.
Gen. Higashi-Kuni himself as
sumed the war portfolio, vacated by
the hari-kari of Gen. Korechika
Anami to atone for his failure" as
minister.
The new cabinet is the first JAP
anese cabinet ever headed by a
member Of the royal family.
Domei emphasized that 1t also
was the first time the Emperor had
selected premier without consult
ing advisers to the throne, and that
"all portfolios except war and navy
have been given to civilians. Gen
erals and admirals who held sew
eral posts in past cabinets were ex-
cluded in selecting new minister's
Gen. Higashi-Kuni, 81, as one OF
Japan's war leaders, might be SUBJ
ject to Allied prosecution as a wa,
criminal. He was on the Supreme
Council Of War Councillors, in 194l
was commander of the home de-
tense general headquarters, and was
reported to have threatened trial
and possible execution of Allied air.
men. forced down in Japan.
His Vice Premier is Prince Fumi-
marc Konoye, named minister with
out portfolio. Konoye was Premier
(See Jap CABINET. Page A-37