Quicker Cabinet

In bad times governments change, and within the Cabinet of Premier Prince Fumimaro Konoye change has long been expected. Premier Konoye has faced the demands of industrialists and "moderate" military men in his Cabinet that Japan halt her offensive and limit the campaign to the occupation of the "conquered" territory. On the other hand, the Cabinet's military ' "extremists" insist that Japan push on to the final goal, i. e., control of all of China and the fall of Chiang Kaishek.

Last week, with the "extremists" howling that the long-sought capture of Suchow would be a pointless victory unless the army was allowed to press on to Hankow, China's makeshift capital, Premier Konoye was persuaded to their side. Promising a "quick victory," he reshuffled his Cabinet, called to three key posts two of the nation's most influential military men and the top-rank Japanese financier. The Premier urged upon the new Cabinet a "renewed determination to attain Japan's fixed objective (complete conquest) in China."

To replace the restraining influence of Foreign Minister Koki Hirota, the Premier brought burly, oval-faced General Kazushige Ugaki from retirement. A onetime vegetable peddler, General Ugaki is a liberal leader of the Minseito party, has been Minister of War five times.

As Minister of Education, to whip up the "spiritual mobilization" of the country, Premier Konoye appointed egg-bald, creamy-voiced General Baron Sadao Araki, fiery War Minister during the Manchurian campaign. At the extremity of the "extremists," General Araki is an open advocate of a campaign to strike at Russia while she is internally weak and ram her out of Vladivostok. Appointed as Finance Minister was white-haired, white-mustached, Harvard-educated Seihin Ikeda, former managing director of the vast Mitsui industrial empire.

First act of the new Cabinet was to order more troops to China. Soldiers left Japan last week in the largest number since the initial shipments in September. Army officers roamed the streets commandeering commercial trucks. One U. S. automobile branch agency was given a rush order for 1,800 machines. Next step observers last week believed imminent was the complete application of the National Mobilization Act, which would place the nation on full wartime footing, give the army virtual control over industry and all phases of national life.

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