2 APRIL 1937, Page 2

Dissolution in Japan The announcement of a dissolution of the

Japanese Diet is the result of another clash between the soldiers and the politicians. The resistance to military domination is slowly growing, but it is still far from being effective and the Diet is tolerated only so long as it carries out the will of the generals. The last elections were held in February of last year, but the present Cabinet was formed only two months ago after repeated bans by the soldiers on appointments which the new Prime Minister, General Hayashi, desired to make. The revolt of the two principal parties in the Diet which led to Wednesday's crisis is significant, but the Army will no doubt use all its influence at the coming elections, which are fixed for April 3oth, and in any case its usual veto on Cabinet appointments will be exercised. The crisis is particularly unfortunate in view of the more enlightened foreign policy enunciated by the new Foreign Minister, M. Sato, but that in itself no doubt contributed to the tension between the Army and the Diet. Feeling against the military autocracy is growing in Japan, but the time has not yet come when the army is likely to be worsted in a test of strength.