Tokyo, Jan. 9. The Japanese political situation has grown more tense following a reported demand by the Minister of War, General Shunroku Hata, to the Prime Minister, General N. Abe, to resign.
After conferring with leading generals during the week-end, General Hata. according to the "Kokumin Shimbun," bluntly explained in detail to the Premier yesterday the Army's reasons for deciding that the "settlement of the China Incident" should not be utilized as an excuse for prolonging the life of the Cabinet, The War Minister is said to have urged the Prime Minister to quit office in view of the strong opposition to him throughout the nation.
The Premier was non-committal, but the "Kokumin Shimbun" declares that if he fails to take the advice, the War Minister is likely to express his views more frankly.
The fact that the Prime Minister continues to ignore the growing hostility among the majority of members of the Lower House, and shows determination to face the Diet session, has increased the opposition, which has now spread to higher political circles,
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