Aug. 29.
The resignation of the Japanese Cabinet yesterday morning is another of those quick changes which emphasize the kaleidoscopic character of political conditions throughout the world, but in the circumstances, provides no occasion for surprise. The reason given for this sudden and dramatic step is that Bayou Hiranuma feels bound to -accept the responsibility for the long drawn-out, abortive negotiations with Rome, and Berlin for a military alliance, the failure of which is thought to be partly responsible for the conclusion of the pact, between Germany and Russia. It is by no means clear why the Hiranuma Cabinet should have adopted that point of view, for the history of the past few weeks shows that, while the Japanese Ambassadors to Rome and Berlin we anxiously seeking to join the German-ttalian military alliance, and Rome was striving to persuade Germany to agree to the inclusion of Japan in that understanding, Berlin was by no means displaying the same enthusiasm. If, therefore, there were any delay in the matter it arose not from any laches on the part of the Japanese representatives, or even the Cabinet, which was divided upon the matter, but Father from the fact that Germany was by no means convinced that she wanted Japan as an ally to that extent, for reasons Which last' week were made dramatically lear. Germany has now made it quite plain that to her a quiescent Russia in European matters was much more to be preferred than an active Far Eastern Ally in a European war in which Russia might become involved. It was for that reason that Japan was so lightly thrown over, and if that nation for the future adopts a somewhat sceptical attitude towards Germany it should not be surprising. It is not to be believed that the military party in Japan which was so keenly desirous of bringing about Japan's entry into the alliance can feel anything but restive under the severe rebuff they have encountered, and in their resentment they may very well agree to the selection of a Cabinet which should be able to re-orientate Japanese foreign policy more in accordance with the actual facts of the situation, Much depends upon the personnel of the next Cabinet to be formed. For the past two years at least, while the naval and military services have been able to bring enormous pressure to bear upon the civilian members. there has been a sufficiency of the moderate elements in the Cabinet to prevent the more grandiose schemes of extremists being put into effect. There have been indications of late that the moderates have been increasing in power to such an extent that the more extreme militarists were becoming disturbed. Their reverse at the hands of Germany has undoubtedly weakened their position, and while it would be rash in the-circumstances to suggest that it has opened the way for the immediate accession of the "moderates 10 power, it can with confidence be said that the latter should now be in a better position to influence the policies of the government than has been the case for a considerable time past. It is not to be believed, however, that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.