Apr. 17.
Japan has: reason to congra-tulare herself on the rapid and harmonious "manner in' which government difficulty has been overcome. Within a very brief space of time since resignation of Br. Hamaguchi from the Premiership, owing to ill-health, followed" by the resignation of his entire cabinet, Baron Reijiro Wakatsuki has succeeded in forming -a new cabinet which incorporates the personnel of the old cabinet with three exceptions, and preserves the continuity of Minseito government at a difficult period Japun's "history. Baron Wakatsuki's assumption of office has been favourably received throughout the country, especi business and ' financial circles where a cabinet crisis would have had a very disturbing effect, and the fact that there has been little. interrupt tion in governmental functions increases the cause for congratulation, In other eduntries where political processes are pursued more vigorously, in such an incident as has occurred Japan where long illness prevented the Premier from active participation in parliamentary deliberations and subsequently compelled his resignation would be found elements of a major possibly government. Several causes have served to operate against such an even-triality in In the first pol change during the place, rarely does there occur a actual session of the Diet. If there arise circumstances connoting an impending political change action is generally put off until the session has concluded. This course has beer followed "in the present case. Baron Shidehara, the Foreign Minister, who continues in this capacity in the new cabinet, was appointed Acting Premier after: the deplorable attack on Premier Hamaguchi-outside Tokyo railway station last November. Mr. Hamaguchi was: removed to the Imperial University Hospital where he stayed for nearly four: months to leave only at the end of the Diet session when it was found that his health was too impaired to continue the strenuous duties of Premier in an institution $0 hostile as the japanese Diet proved. In the second place,-the Minseito is a strong party' possessing a large majority and the Seiyukai could not possible muster sufficient power to undertake the forma tion of a government. The only danger lay in the inability the Minseito leaders to settle harmoniously: the question of a successor to Mr. Hamaguchi which might have split the party and played into the hands of the Seiyukai. This danger,—tiowever, was liquidated by conversations resulting in Baron Wakatsuki being induced to abandon retirement and take the helm with the support of, most members of the Hamaguchi government.
From the political turmoil now, it is hoped, 0 quickly: stilled Mr. Hamaguchi emerges. an heroic figure. The victim of an assassination attempt which resulted in serious in-Juries and necessitated three operations, the invalid Premier from his hospital bed continued, display a Keen interest government affairs and despite his ill-health he emerged to face a Diet which distinguished itself by more violent oppos tion, acts of rowdyism a political clamour than ant session in recent years of Japanese parliamentary history. 'On two occasions his goverment faced a crisis. 'The first occasion was the Shidehara lip of the tongue" incident when a remark by the Acting Premier regarding the London aval Treaty, which was tly attacked, was interpreted as placing on' the Emperor the Cabinet's responsibility for the adequacy of defence a8 provided in the treaty. Baron Shidehars eventually explained his remarks and denied the. imputation, but it prejudiced his reputation as a "statesman, On a later occasion, this' undermined his occupancy of the position sand accentuated the circumstances which the opposition ruthlessly exploited to compel Mr. Hamaguchi to leave his sick bed to straighten out mattery. Despite his weak condition, the Premier's devotion to duty' was 0 steadfast that he left hoapital and attended the Diet to face the critics of his administration, and his welcome was a mixture of warm acclaim for his sacrifice and determination, and jeering antagonism by. the noisier section of the opposition The whole of Mr, Hamagucht career as Premier has been marked by this high quality of devotion to duty and sacrifice to national interests, and hia conduct has commanded national respect in contrast. to the ce: duct of these sections of 'tI opposition who ignored infirmities suffered at the hands of a would-be assassin and wha exploited his helplessness' for obstructive political purposes, Although approving of the change his services will nob altogether be lost, for he haa accepted the office of hight adviser to his party of which control.
Baron Wakatsuki now taker
Baron Wakatsuki's assumption of the Premiership is regarded in a very favourable light and has created optimism in busines' circles, A somewhat firmer Policy will be adopted in national affairs and the new Premier has announced that in the policy laid down by his predecessor two years ago there will be changes made to cope with tha problems of emergency which ave developed since that policy was formulated. These changes refer to problems arising from the economic depression in the country, Baron Wakatsuki an expert in financial affairs and his authority will be give al ull play. As Japan's ree presentative "at the London aval Limitation Conferenca last year, too, he brings to his task that' intimate' knowledge of naval affairs and of the facta) leading to. the signing of the treaty so necessary in guiding! this great instrument of peace, to its consummation. Regard ing China, there is at present; no indication of any change From the course mapped out by. his predecessor and outlined many public utterances, Baron Wakatsuki's task is no light one. but with a strong cabinet he. will able to face his country's) pressing problems with a feeling of support of loyal colleagues' and national approval,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.