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event caused the more interest, which was not lessened when the Japanese police, on examining photographs of the ladies, decided that their shorts must be 3 inches longer before they could be allowed to play in Japan. The police even- tually removed the ban, but, refusing to be deprived of the last word, decreed that Japanese boys would not be permitted to play against the American girls, owing to the desirability of their refraining from superficial games during the national emergency.
CC
272. Meanwhile, the girls go on their way placidly, and have declared to the press that their four chaperones, who attend them night and day, are swell," and that Mrs. Grew, who entertained them at the American Embassy, is
wonderful."
L
Italy.
273. Two Italian warships are coming to pay a visit here next March, and an Italian aeroplane is to try to fly here next month.
274. According to the press, Mussolini congratulated the Japanese after the capture of Hankow in the following terms: The country whose nationals are fecund has a natural right to look to foreign lands for development.'
Germany.
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275. As with Italy, rhetorical bouquets are frequently exchanged, and both of Japan's allies are working laboriously at propaganda. The members of the Hitler Jugend who are touring Japan continue to receive much attention in the press. It is understood that, apart from sight-seeing, they have been giving demonstrations to Japanese Youth organisations of the workings of the German
Arbeitsdienst.""
U.S.S.R.
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276. There have been no incidents during the month of October. 277. A Japanese fishery patrol vessel returned from the fishing-grounds off Eastern Kamchatka with reports of
Soviet oppression of unprecedented Japanese fishermen, and the returning Japanese Consul General at Vladivostok was indignant at the outrageous persecution to which he and the other consular officials had been subjected.
Peru.
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278. The Peruvian Economic and Cultural Mission remained in Japan throughout October, and is said to be taking several ideas for closer co-operation with Japan back to Peru. As, however, the mission has no power to conduct official negotiations, no commitments have been entered into by either side.
Manchukuo.
279. The Emperor's brother, Captain Pu Chieh, who has a Japanese wife, has been appointed Manchukuo Military Attaché in Tokyo.
280. Conscription is to be inaugurated in Manchukuo, but no details have so far been published.
281. On the 19th October the Polish and Manchukuo Ambassadors in Tokyo exchanged notes regulating the questions of consular establishments, travel, pro- perty rights, organisations, &c., in the two countries, pending the conclusion of a permanent agreement. The position of either country in relation to its allies is reserved, and in economic matters the countries limit themselves to stating that they will
deal favourably with matters connected therewith."
282. This step on the part of Poland is regarded as constituting de facto recognition of Manchukuo, though it is understood to be technically compatible with the continuance of de jure non-recognition. It is of a piece with Poland's general policy at the present time of cultivating the good graces of Japan at any price, the motives for this policy being doubtless fear of the Soviet Union and solicitude for the many Polish nationals domiciled in Manchuria.
Poland.
283. (See Manchukuo.)
Mongolia.
5
284. Prince Teh, chairman of the Federated Autonomous Governments of Inner Mongolia, arrived in Tokyo on an official visit on the 20th October. He was met at the station by 100 Mongolian students, and the following day was received by the Emperor.
Other Visitors.
285. Mr. Hall-Patch, financial adviser to His Majesty's Embassy, visited Tokyo early in October, his arrival receiving much publicity in this country where he has a legendary reputation as a pillar of the tottering Chiang régime. (The movements of His Majesty's Ambassador in China are also invariably the subject of unfavourable comment and speculation in the Japanese press.)
286 Freda Utley, authoress of Japan's Feet of Clay, was not allowed to land at Kobe by the police.
The Cabinet.
HOME AFFAIRS.
287 Mr. Yoshiaki Hatta was on the 29th October appointed to be Minister of Overseas Affairs, a portfolio previously held concurrently by General Ugaki and more recently by the Prime Minister himself. Mr. Hatta has been Vice- Minister of Railways, vice-president of the South Manchuria Railway and president of the special company for the rehabilitation of the distressed areas in the north-eastern districts of Japan.
288 This appointment and that of Mr. Arita to be Minister for Foreign Affairs have had a remarkably bad press. Both men are classed as mediocrities in comparison with those brought into the Government during the reconstruction at the end of May, and the move is held to be retrogressive in Prince Konoye's policy of strengthening the central Government; criticism is especially directed against Mr. Hatta's removal from his work in the distressed areas. In fact, the appoint- ments serve to underline the extraordinary dearth of able statesmen.
289. Classification of Mr. Arita as a mediocrity is a little unfair. As Vice- Minister for Foreign Affairs he was openly opposed to withdrawal from the League of Nations, but was outvoted by Mr. Shiratori and his faction in the Ministry. As Minister in the Hirota Cabinet he had to face a bitter attack against secret diplomacy in connexion with the signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact, and his defence of the agreement can scarcely be held to have carried con- viction. It would be more true to say that he is a Liberal and therefore unpopular. The appointment of a career diplomat, who is, moreover, a recognised expert on Chinese affairs, may be regarded as a success for the Gaimusho.
National Mobilisation.
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to
290. There are indications that wide powers will be exercised under the National Mobilisation Law before the opening of the coming Diet session prepare for protracted warfare,' Three further draft ordinances have already been approved and promulgation is expected shortly. Two of these relate to the training of technicians under article 22 of the law and the third, under article 16, to the establishment and improvement of factories, &c., connected with mobilisation. An additional ordinance is also in course of preparation providing for a census of labour.
Political Parties.
291. As is usual during the autumn, the new-party movement is again a subject of discussion. This time, however. the initiative has come from the Government who have been moved by certain political figures behind the scenes, such as Mr. Teisuke Akiyama, to press for the formation of a national party to co-operate in dealing with the crisis. The established parties are opposed to the plan on the Government's condition that they must dissolve, and it appears improbable that anything will come of it.
292. As if to meet this threat of extinction, the Minseito and the Seiyukai are to launch a nation-wide movement for the "Reconstruction of the Far East and are to stamp the country with a platform based upon close co-operation within a Japan-Manchukuo-China bloc. The Social Mass party, which has unaccount- ably aligned itself on the extreme right, and the other minority groups have declined to associate themselves with this enterprise.
292
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