Evening star., 1945-10-06
ShideE1ara Aims
To Make Tokyo
RegimeLibera|
Leaves Retirement
To Become New
jap Premier
Ey the Associatec Press,


come Premier of Japan at its most
critical point in history. He prom
ised Emperor Hirohito to do my
best" to form a cabinet that would
meet with the approval of Allied oc-
cupation authorities.
Ex-Premier Prince Naruhiko Hi
gashi-Kuni and the first postwar
cabinet resigned en- bloc yesterday
because they were unable to put into
effect sweeping measures designed
to substitute democratic freedom for
feudaliSm in Japan.
Baron Shidehara's appointment
elected bare mo comment" from
Allied Command headquarters, but
it was assumed that Gen. Macarthur
had been consulted before the new
premier was named. Yesterday
Hirohito said he would ask Gen.
MacArthur's prior approval of his
appointee. Gen. MacArthur's aides
said the general didn't wish to make
any statement approving or disap-
proving the selection.
Yoshida Still Foreign Minister.
Baron Shidehara's first official act
was to reappoint Shigeru Yoshida
as Foreign Minister, Domei News
Agency reported. Yoshida, who had
stepped out with the Higashi-Kuni
cabinet, was said to have accepted
the reappointment.
The new premier announced that
he expected to complete his cabinet
within two or three days.
American and japanese sources
said the new premier was expected
to call on Gen. Macarthur at the
first suitable opportunity, bu,
probably not until after cabinet
appointments are completed.
An informant close to Baron
Shidehara said no appointment with
Gen. Macarthur had been requested
and that the incoming premier does
not consider formal call necessary
Immediately.
Given No Directive.
| The Baron appeared at a press
conference dressed in formal after
noon attire-cutaway coat, striped
trousers, stiff collar-and told cor.
respondents his appointment came
as surprise.
He said the Emperor had giver
him no directive, but merely askeC
him to try to form a new cabinet.
The new Premier said he thought
it would be possible for Japan anc
the United States to become friends
He said he expected no difficult,
in finding liberal. progressive mer
for his new government.
There are many of them in ia
pam" he declared, ''and it is to then
am looking in making appoint
ments."
Asked If his cabinet would be 1
stop-gap to last only until the Jan
uary elections, Baron Shidehara sait
he hoped the body once formed
would continue as long as it4has tn,
confidence of the people"
Some observers expressed tn
thought that the recall to the gov
ernment of the International,
known diplomat would give consid
cradle impetus to Japanese liberia
groups-as distinguished from So
cialists and Communists.
! Fought Militarists.
Baron Shidehara, one of Japan
, best known liberals, waged a stron
, fight against imperialistic militar
lists in the late 20s and early 80
, during a series of crises over Jap
anese expansion to the Asiatic con
tinent.
He was councillor at the Japanes
, Embassy in Washington before tn
World War and served as ia
pans Ambassador there from 191
, to 1922.
Sources at Gen. Macarthur
headquarters, who said Higashi
Kuni's ''straddling cabinet" ha
, reached an expected end, considere
, it likely that the Japanese ar
, avoiding selection of the stronges
: possible premier at this time be
cause the life of the forthcomin
government seems foreshortenet
! These sources believed Japan wa
holding the strongest man for
future cabinet.
The choice of Baron Shidehar
ended furry of activity today, dun
4 ing which numerous high offici'
t sources pointed to Yoshida, frien
i and advocate of Shidehara, as tn
next premier.
, Earlier the Higashi-Kuni cabin
had held its last meeting, bowir
out of role which mad increased
= difficulty as Gen. Macarthur passe
n out such sweeping orders as remov
S of government shackles on freedo
: OF the press and speech.
The latest directive, which precip
: tated the crisis of the Higasni-Km
: cabinet, called for the custer of tt
e press -gagging home minister, tt
d disbanding of the brutal ''ti,ougl
VI (See SHIDEHARA. Page A-3.)