Military Dictatorship Looms in Japan

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 5

Military Dictatorship Looms in Japan

Scenes of Disorder in Diet PARLIAMENT SUSPENDED United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyrlgh t. TOKIO, Jan. 21. The political crisis developed rapidly to-day. The Premier, Mr. Hirota, presenting his programme to the House of Peers, stressed the necessity for an expansion of armaments ‘‘to ensure our existence, to maintain our position as the stabilising power of East Asia, and to march forward in peace. The Premier’s speech revealed that an extension of the period of compulsory education is intended to reinvigorato the national spirit. Electric power board control is intended to meet the requirements of defence, besides stimulating production. The programme includes schemes for the production of liquid fuel and the development of civil aviation. Tax reform will provide funds for defence, besides providing for a fairer distribution of burdens.

Tho first interpellator was Viscount Watanabe, who vigorously denounced tho power of politics and dictatorships. Mr. Hirota, Mr. Arita, and the Finance Minister, Mr. E. Baba, repeated in the House of Representatives in the afternoon the speeches they made in the Peers in the morning. Mr. Baba’s statement that large Budgets, with deficits, would continue for some years roused shouts of

• ‘{Shame” and “We don’t accept that.” An angry debate followed. Many accused the Cabinet of being too strongly influenced by the army. Mr. Hamada was selected to speak for the Beiyukai Party and broadly hinted that the army desired dictatorship. Mr. Hirota protested. He is respected by all parties but was jeered. General Terauchi accused Mr. Hamada of trying to sow discord between the army and the people, but he sat down abruptly when disorder arose in the Seiyukai benches. Mr. Hirota went to the palace for a three hours’ conference with the Emperor, and afterwards a decree suspending Parliament for two days was issued. If the Opposition shows no signs of subsiding in two days Mr. Hirota can seek further suspension, followed by dissolution, tender his resignation to Cabinet, or compromise by Cabinet reconstruction. In the meantime, both the army and the navy resent the attacks. Ominous Move DIET TO BE DISSOLVED Received Friday, II p.m. TOKIO, Jan. 22. Cabinet has decided to dissolve the Diet.