Hankow, June 3, The appointment of Lieut,-Gen, Sieshiro Itagaki as Minister of Wai in succession to Gen, Gen Sugiyama came as a surprise to Chinese circles here in view of his "defeat at Taier~ chwang."
The Chinese military spokesman, interviewed by Reuter, stated that the appointment of General Itagaki was probably due'to Prince e's desire to include a representative of Japan's "Young Officers" 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 Officers" Group, in the Cabinet Madevit necessäry for Prince Konoye to appoint General Itagaki, who was one of the recognized leaders of the Group.
General Itagaki, the spokesman concluded, was known to hav®played an important role in the Mukden Coup, and also in the present hostilities Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.