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5. The gulf between the Government and people had become so wide during these years that it is not surprising that the latter were bewildered on finding themselves plunged into a major war. Prince Konoye, as was explained in Sir Robert Craigie's despatch No. 923 of the 17th November last, had attempted to bridge this gulf and to discover a solid basis of support in the country. But there were advocates of the renovation programme in his Cabinet, notably Admiral Suetsugu, who were resolutely opposed to any compromise with the representatives of the people. Prince Konoye was therefore unable to achieve progress in this direction.
6. The resignation of Prince Konoye, or, rather, the elimination of Admiral Suetsugu, marks a setback for this renovation programme, if not, as the writer of the enclosed article maintains, its total bankruptcy. Baron Hiranuma has been compelled to follow a more conciliatory line of approach in dealing with the political parties and has come out as an advocate of the status quo. He has thus declared his support for constitutional government in a manner more unequivocal than any of his predecessors, even including Prince Konoye who was classed as a Liberal.
7. It remains to be seen how Baron Hiranuma will proceed now that he has survived the Diet session. Some account is given in Sir Robert Craigie's despatch No. 234 of the 31st March, of the many problems confronting the Administration, and their solution will inevitably involve the strengthening and centralisaton of econome control. But this does not mean that Japan has adopted totalitarianism as a political philosophy and it would, in fact, be true to say that she is less willing to follow such a course than was the case a year ago. For example, the national party movement, which was prominently to the fore on several occasions while Prince Konoye was in office, has not been mentioned since the formation of Baron Hiranuma's Government.
I have. &c.
J. L. DODDS.
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