The country generally seems te have applauded Mr. Saito's demand for further and more concrete infor-motion of the Government's policies in China, His punishment has not only thoroughly discredited the political parties, but seems likely to have further repercussions as time passes.
That the army views the situation with concern is made evident by the fact that it is now taking steps to clarify the real objective of the "Holy War" to the nation and to Mr, Í promote harmony between the army and the people.
With this object in view, the War Ministry recently called a conference in Tokyo of all the regimental district commanders in Japan at. which the Director of Military Affairs gave an outline of Mr. Saito's speech and explained in detail the-points in it which the army authorities considered inconsistent with the objective of the "Holy War" in China.
"The conference afterwards discussed conerete measures to be taken in the various regimental districts to enhance harmony between the army and the people. It was arranged that the army authorities should inform all government offices and schools of the "immutable" policy of the army, and thus endeavour to propagate thoroughly the fundamental principles of the "Holy War."
Meanwhile, according to the "Kokumin Shimbun," a troublesome situation threatens to arise regarding rumours that some of the members of the Cabinet have acted as if they approved of Mr. Saito's speech. Mr. Tanizo Koyama, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Foreign Office, and Mr. Kunitaro Koyama, Counseller of the Navy Office, are to have adopted "undesirable" attitudes in regard to the clarification of the policies of the war, despite their official status.—Reuter, the war because workmen were unable to secure needed materials. Recently a small quantity of copper and gold leaf has been made available, however.
Unless the necessary products can e secured quickly irreparable damage will be done to many national treasures, it is believed. Substitute materials are being used wherever possible for repair work but are at cest only a stopgap.
Among the best known structures which are in danger are the Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture, the Horyuji in Nara Prefecture and a number of the famed Mara temples. There are said to be several lith century Buddhist statues at Nara which are badly in need of gold leaf.—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.