Japan's New Government The fall of the Government in Japan
shows that the danger to the Western Powers is far from imaginary. The dissatis- faction with the late Government was no doubt due in part to financial and economic difficulties, and not solely to foreign Policy. But the two are held to be closely connected. The adventure in China is far from having proved the success that was once anticipated. It has drained Japan of her best man- power as well as exhausting her economically, and there are many among the military—or perhaps specially naval—leaders, who would like to substitute for it another adventure in which the Dutch Indies would play a prominent part. It is Mr. Arita, Foreign Minister in the late Administration, who has been negotiating the agreement with Britain ; but it seems likely to be a Government nearer in spirit to the European dictators which will reap the benefit from concessions already made by Britain, and hopes to wring further concessions when the moment is ripe. Prince Konoe, the new Prime Minister, has accepted office fully realising what the attitude of the army, which forced the resignation of the late Government, is, and the appointment as Foreign Minister of Mr. Matsuoka, who represented Japan in the closing phases of the Manchurian discussions at Geneva in 1932, is not of good omen.
