THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
234
FAR EASTERN (CHINA).
CONFIDENTIAL.
[F 867/23/23]
January 26, 1939.
SECTION 3.
Copy No.
130
Sir R. Craigie to Viscount Halifax. (Received January 26, 1939.)
(No. 1055.) My Lord,
Tokyo, December 30, 1938. WITH reference to my telegram No. 1450 of the 8th December last, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith a translation of the Imperial Ordinance containing the regulations of the Asia Development Council as promulgated on the 16th December. The provisions for the fourth technical department and for a liaison committee to preserve contact with ministries con- cerned are the only important changes in the draft plan which was described in my despatch No. 775 of the 7th October.
2. A second ordinance was promulgated on the same day vesting the Prime Minister with power to determine the location, designation and area of jurisdic- tion of the projected liaison offices in China. These offices are to function under the direction of the Central Council and the Prime Minister is also empowered to order the establishment of branches under these liaison offices. In matters concerning the maintenance of order, however, the liaison offices or branches are to remain subject to the orders of the commanding officer of the district concerned. A third ordinance revises the regulations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to effect the transfer of China Cultural Affairs to the new council.
3. The personnel of the council was announced in the Gazette on the 17th December. Lieutenant-General Heisuke Yanagawa, retired, is to be director- general, and concurrently head of the Cultural Affairs Department. Major- General Teiichi Suzuki, Mr. Shinrokuro Hidaka, until recently consul-general at Shanghai, and Mr. Takenosuke Miyamoto, a professor of Tokyo Imperial University, are the heads of the Political Affairs, Economic Affairs, and Technical Departments respectively. Of the twelve most responsible appointments, three have gone to the army, two to the navy and seven to civilian officials, including three to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
4. The Government have evidently experienced considerable difficulty in recruiting the staff of the council, and it is said that Prince Konoye hoped to obtain the services of a civilian as director-general. Dr. Hashida, president of the Tokyo First High School, declined, in spite of great pressure, to accept the post of head of the Cultural Affairs Department, which the director-general has been obliged to take over until a suitable alternative candidate can be found. Lieutenant-General Yanagawa is a soldier of outstanding reputation. He served as Vice-Minister of War under General Araki during 1932 and subsequently, but was placed on the reserve list after the incident of the 26th February, 1936. He was recalled for service in the present war in China and was in command of the Japanese forces landed at Hangchow Bay he was thus in large measure responsible for the ultimate success of the operations at Shanghai. Major- General Suzuki was head of the Press Section of the Ministry of War when General Yanagawa was Vice-Minister. He has been attached for considerable periods to the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Japan and the Stock Exchange in order to acquire knowledge of the workings of economics and finance. Both have the full support of the young officers."
5. The council is to be housed in the temporary Diet buildings which were discarded upon the completion of the new Diet in 1936. The principal members held an inaugural meeting at the Prime Minister's residence on the 23rd December, and it is expected that the council will begin to function in earnest early in the New Year. It appears that the Five Ministers Conference will continue to deliberate on matters of high policy, notwithstanding the nomination of its members to be president and vice-presidents of the new organisation. An additional Asia Development Conference" will therefore be instituted in the Cabinet, which General Yanagawa will be required to attend when necessary.
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