hanges in Japanese High Command
The Tokyo wireless announced on Tuesday that General Tojo, e Japanese Prime Minister, had been relieved of his post as chief f the army general staff, and that he had been succeeded by General oshijiro Umezu, formerly commander of the Kwantung army. Is followed an announcement that the Navy Minister, Admiral himada, had been succeeded by Admiral Nomura. These changes Ppear to be the direct consequences of the capture of Saipan, less an 1,500 miles from Tokyo, a loss which has caused consternation high quarters in Japan. The Prime Minister himself in a broad- cast confessed that this event had caused " grave disquiet " to the Emperor, and that it had brought on Japan " an unprecedentedly great national crisis." It is reported that in military circles in Tokyo Tojo's strategy has been criticised as putting too much emphasis on the defensive, and it is suggested that his successor ,as Chief of Staff, General Umezu, owes his appointment to his belief in an aggressive strategy and a policy of vigorous counter- offensive. To the world outside it may seem that Japan in all the earlier stages of the war had already carried an offensive strategy beyond her powers, and that she is now paying the penalty for having attempted too much. It is true That in the vigorous offensive which the Americans have turned upon her she has not dared to challenge them with her Grand Fleet. If she should alter that policy, and throw her main forces in the Pacific into the battle, there is nothing which the Americans would more welcome. On land, in China, it may be doubted if she has the resources to pursue the offensive much more vigorously than she has lately been doing.
