Within twenty-four hours, Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai, the new Japanese Prime Minister, succeeded in forming his Cabinet, and there is every sign apparent that the new ministry will commence its labours in an exceptionally favourable atmosphere. Admiral Yonai is a popular figure, a man who as Minister for the Navy proved himself most able, and one who commands the confidence of the Diet. In view of Prince Konoye's refusal to accept office the selection of Admiral Yonai was the next best thing, and, if he continues to have the support of the Army which the Throne has commanded it to give, the new Premier should be able to face the very difficult duties which lie ahead of him with every prospect of being able to fulfil them satisfactorily to everyone. It is, of course, the irony of fate that the very man who has argued consistently that the Navy should remain aloof from politics should thus be called upon to guide the destinies of the nation, but there are occasions when what appears to be a sound_doctrine has to give way to the necessities of the situation, and it is not so much his naval rank as the quality of the man which demanded that he should relinquish former convictions in the service of his country. In some ways the new Cabinet may with justice be regarded as something in the nature of a national mini: try, for not only are the services represented, but also the two main political parties, which should result in the new government having the complete confidence of the Diet. It is essential that this should be the case. There will be general agreement upon foreign policy, in which no very great departure from precedent is to be expected, save perhaps in modifications. calculated to bring about an improvement in the relationships between Japan and those other nations with which there are so many outstanding questions to settle. The inclusion of Mr. Hachiro Arita as Foreign Minister supports the view that Admiral Yonai's policy will be directed towards a betterment of Japan's international position.
The result of all that has happened during the past two-and-a-half years has left Japan in almost complete isolation. The German betrayal of the Anti-Comintern Pact practically completed it, and, should the new Cabinet decide after all that old friends are the best, it may very well be that without too great a reorientation of policy Japan's position vis-a-vis of those great Powers deeply interested in China may undergo a complete and gratifying change. It needs to be emphasized that to reach agreement with third-party. Powers involves no radical change from policy as preceding Governments have enunciated it since the outbreak of the China Incident, for all that is needed is that the assurances which have repeatedly been given that third-party Powers' interests and rights would be respected should be implemented in deed. Under the Hiranuma Cabinet there was an attempt made to secure some-agreement. That failed as the Ministry went out of power. General Abe sought to improve matters during his short regime. That he did not succeed is in all probability no fault of his, but rather because of the shortness of his term of office which was hardly long enough to be productive of results. Admiral Yonai enters office faced with the problem
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.