Hankow, June 3, The appointment of Lieut,-Gen, Sieshiro Itagaki as Minister of War jin succession to Gen, Gen Sugiyama came as a surprise to Chinese circles: hhere in view of his "defeat at Taier-
The Chinese military spokesman, interviewed by Reuter, stated that the appointment of General Itagaki was probably due to Prince Konoye's Jdesire to include a representative of Japan's "Young Omlcers" Group in the Cabinet, He pointed out that, although there were already five generals in the Cabinet, there was as yet no member of the "Young Officers" Group, Furthermore, the spokesman said, the inclusion of General Ugaki, who had been bitterly opposed by the "Young Omicers" Group, in the Cabinet made it necessary for Prince Konoye to appoint General Hagak, who was one of the recognized leaders of the Group.
General Itagaki, the spokesman' concluded, was known to have played an important role in the Mukden Coup, and also in the present hos-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.