OUR POPULAR SOLDIER-STATESMAN ABÉ
By RIKURO TAKAGHI
WHILE Japan is at present carrying on an unprecedented war, the attention of its people is focused on Premier General Hidéki Tohjo and General Nobuyuki Abé, President of the Yokusan Seiji Kai (National Service Political Association). These two leading figures are noted for their talent in military circles. With strong faith and resolution, they are jointly marching forward to break through the current emergencies, so that Japan's future prosperity and security would be assured.
Being on intimate terms with these two personalities, I have been able to assess their personal charms and devotion to the cause of the State. I have been acquainted with General Abé for over forty years. When the general went to China as special envoy to bring about Sino-Japanese understanding, I too, accompanied him. I have watched him from close quarters and have been amazed at his strength of character and ability to undertake the solution of difficult problems affecting the interest of the nation.
General Abé was born in November in the eighth year of Meiji (1875). He is the eldest son of Nobumitsu Abé, who was a retainer of the Kaga clan. Having a youthful exterior and a serene character, he invariably looks very young for his age and is liked by everybody. There is an old proverb saying that "a man of character is like a gem." This fittingly describes the disposition of General Abé. In his boyhood he left his native place and came up to Tokyo. After graduating from the First Tokyo Prefectural Middle School, he entered the Fourth Higher School at Kanazawa. Before long, when the Sino-Japanese tension became imminent, he made up his mind
to be a soldier in consideration of the future of Japan. He left the school and passed the selective examination at the Military Academy with good records. He studied hard and graduated in the thirtieth year of Meiji (1897). In the following year, he was appointed a sub-lieutenant of artillery. He then entered the Military Staff College, from which he graduated in due course of time. He rose step by step until he became a general in the eighth year of Showa (1933).
Starting his military career as adjutant to the staff of the Nagasaki Guards, the youthful soldier successively became an instructor of the Military Artillery Firing School, an officer of the General Staff Office, a military student in Germany, the military attaché to the Japanese Embassy in Austria, an instructor in military science at the Military Staff College, an adjutant to His Highness Marshal Fushimi, the commander of the Third Artillery Regiment, the chief of a section in the General Staff Office, the secretary of the Military Staff College, the chief of the General Affairs Department in the General Staff Office, the chief of the Bureau of Military Affairs, the secretary-general of the Military Council and the Vice-Minister of War. Furthermore, as Minister of State without portfolio, he was appointed acting Minister of War. Soon afterwards, he became the commander of the Fourth Division. Then followed his elevation as commander of the Formosan Army and thereafter he was appointed a supreme war councillor. This discloses how as a military officer he has held a series of important posts. As a matter of fact while in active service, he worked to the best of his ability among the leading sections of the Army for a period of thirty years or more. He was placed on the reserve list in April in the eleventh year of Showa (1936). The noteworthy fact is that during the last seven years of the aforesaid period he was an official serving His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and the Imperial Household.
From the foregoing one thing stands out clearly: that is, General Abé spent a greater part of his military life in the War Office and the General Staff Office. Because he is a man of
talent, he was considered indispensable to the management of diverse military affairs. For this reason, he always made his ability felt in connection with the mapping out of military measures during the Russo-Japanese War, the Tsingtao campaign, the Tsinan affair, the Manchurian incident and other military operations. Except that he participated in the Siberian expedition as commander of the Third Regiment, he did not directly take part in any military engagements. Consequently, he has not been favoured with an opportunity of being decorated with a Golden Kite, which symbolizes the highest military achievement. The truth is that he was what can be called a "desk man" who knows his job thoroughly well. In other words, he was not a "field man," but an important person in the brain trust of the Army.
Being a "non-fighting officer," General Abé devoted a greater portion of his military life to improve the structure of the military system. He enforced various reforms to enhance the efficiency of the fighting services. Moreover, he displayed his inborn ability to deal with matters requiring political consideration. When, for instance, public feeling was in turmoil directly after the seismic disaster which befell the Kanto district in the twelfth year of Taisho (1923), he ably assisted General Masataro Fukuda, then commander of the forces enforcing martial law. As commander of the Fourth Division, he brought the Army into closer contact with the financial interests of Osaka. His special aptitude was ere long recognized by General Ugaki, and this recognition may be considered to have been the remote cause of his being later appointed a Minister without portfolio—an assignment which gave him the opportunity to exhibit his high qualities as a statesman. Although he is a military man, he is a gifted politician and a statesman. Very few officers, military and naval, can probably equal him in having rendered so distinguished a civil service to the State. Therefore, it is no wonder that he later became Prime Minister, and subsequently visited Nanking as Japanese envoy extraordinary to sign the Sino-Japanese Basic Treaty with the Wang
adminstration. By the last-named act of statesmanship, he succeeded in adjusting relations between Japan and China as a first step toward bringing the China incident to an end. Now as President of the National Service Political Association, he has been entrusted with the epochal task of crystallizing national politics on a single-dimensional basis. On him rests the responsibility of transforming politics into an instrument of national service to the State.
The so-called February 26 incident broke out in the spring of the eleventh year of showa (1936), among other things, as a reaction to political liberalism then prevailing. Soldier-politician Abé at once came to the conclusion that the revamping of the political structure of Japan sooner or later was necessary to establish a unform [sic] State politics. The incident over, General Abé was transferred as commander of the Kwantung Army. Even then he conscientiously insisted that all the senior generals on the active list should clarify their responsibility for the incident by withdrawing from their respective offices. Soon afterwards, his viewpoint was accepted and all the elder generals from General Minami down to the tenth-term ones including General Abé himself were placed on the reserve list. Such a courageous stand on his part lucidly exposed his inbred straightforward character and firmness of mind. Before long, at Prince Konoye's earnest request General Abé became the chief director of the Toh-a Doh-bun Kai, and began cultivating the acquaintance of those intending to work in China. In the meantime, the Hiranuma Cabinet, which had been endeavouring to establish a new foreign policy, was obliged to resign owing to the prevalence of a difference of views among the Ministers. Then General Abé suddenly appeared as the head of the succeeding Ministry, and thus, for the first time in his life he started his career as a full-fledged statesman. Why was he chosen to head the succeeding Cabinet?
The outgoing Premier Hiranuma stated that the international situation "is very complicated and mysterious; but the first thing to be decided upon is rather to dissolve and
settle the differences and frictions at home. Without unifying the national policy, we can never establish any powerful foreign policy, nor can we fully carry out the great task of creating a new East Asia, which is our immutable national policy." Baron Hiranuma's observation was to the point. Therefore, it became evident that, for the purpose of shaping the national policy, Japan needed a straightforward man endowed with political foresight. So the choice fell on General Abé who was welcomed by the entire nation as the most-qualified man to accomplish the task.
The formation of the Abé Cabinet did not minimize the internal differences and frictions. As a result, General Abé found it well-nigh impossible to carry out drastic reforms. On top of this, he saw to his consternation the tendency of malcontent elements to aggravate the situation at home. Moreover, his activities unfortunately provoked a bureaucratic confrontation: many officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs manifested their opposition to the proposed establishment of the Department of Trade and also a delegation of the Police Board of the Kwantung government came up to Tokyo to lay their own views on adminstration [sic] before him. Some other unexpected troubles of similar kinds occurred one after another. On the other hand, the general public complained of the defects in various economic organizations. All these discontents and several natural calamities were exploited by certain party statesmen to hasten the downfall of the Abé Cabinet. Thus in a brief period of four months the Abé Ministry collapsed, although the nation had expected much out of it. A Chinese proverb says: "A natural advantage is inferior to that of position; the advantage of position is inferior to the unanimity of men." In the case of the Abé Cabinet, it had to face a number of odds. For example, the non-compromising tendency of the times and the opposition of certain bureaucratic and political circles. Therefore, its short life did not reflect on the ability and talent of General Abé, nor on his political efficiency. In fact, his failure should be attributed to the force of the
times or to the power of fate.
Short-lived as it was, the Abé Cabinet nevertheless discharged its responsibility creditably. It reorientated certain diplomatic policies and emphasized that the functions of the Premier should be intensified, and that all Cabinet Ministers should be accorded similar treatment after their retirement, provided they have served in their posts for four years or more. On the other hand, the resignation of General Abé caused no adverse repercussion on his popolurity [sic] and reputation. The public admiration for him remained unimpaired. Even political and administrative quarters continued to acknowledge his parts as a statesman.
Strictly speaking, the mission of the Abé Cabinet was two-fold: firstly the unification of various elements and forces at home by adjusting the prevalent differences and frictions, and secondly the use of utmost exertions to settle the China affair by putting into effect the terms contained in the Konoye Declaration of Sino-Japanese accord. But as the first object was found difficult to realize, the Cabinet collapsed. On the other hand, the Abé Cabinet keenly felt its responsibility in regard to the second objective, especially since an understanding had already been reached between Prince Konoye and Mr. Wang Ching-wei to the effect that a central government should be established in Nanking. Accordingly, Premier Abé, prior to the en bloc resignation of his Cabinet, flew to Nanking and effected a compromise with the Wang Ching-wei group. After reporting the result of this compromise to the Privy Council, he tendered the resignation of his Ministry. In this manner, he fulfilled his immediate responsibility in dealing with the solution of the China affair.
Although the Abé Cabinet went out of office, the need for taking a concrete step toward the solution of the China impassé remained a pressing problem for the succeeding Ministry. Meanwhile, it was repeatedly rumoured that the Japanese Government had been requesting General Abé to open negotiations with the Wang Ching-wei Party as its representative. For his
own part, however, the general seemed to think: "Now that I have resigned, everything concerning this matter should be done by the new Cabinet; accordingly, I am not the right person to go on this errand." But finally he was persuaded to head a Japanese delegation to Nanking. In April of the fifteenth year of Showa (1940) he was appointed special envoy and ambassador plenipotentiary to adjust Sino-Japanese relations. This appointment indicated that both the Government and the nation regarded him as the most suitable person to execute the difficult assignment. As soon as his appointment was made public, warm receptions were held at Hibiya Park, Tokyo, and at Nakanoshima, Osaka. And when he concluded the Sino-Japanese Basic Treaty, the nation's confidence in his ability increased to such an extent that he became a national hero.
The fact that Ambassador Abé spent eight long months in Nanking to conduct negotiations with Mr. Wang Ching-wei and his nominees, clearly disclosed that he had to solve many difficult and intricate issues affecting both nations before reaching an agreement of views. But he accomplished the historic task with a firm resolve, tactfulness and probity, displaying at the same time an uncommon statesmanship. The intense summer heat and then the difficult nature of the task had run down his health to no little extent. It is said that he had lost two kan and five hundred momme in weight. Besides that, his hair had become remarkably grey. Thanks to his great efforts, a firm foundation was laid at an opportune moment to pave the way for launching a movement for the emancipation of the peoples of greater East Asia—a movement which has now become a concrete reality with the eclipse of the Anglo-American influence from this part of the globe, due to phenomenal Japanese successes in the Pacific war.
Now that the new National Government of China has been established on a solid basis, Japan, Manchoukuo and China are jointly endeavouring to build a co-prosperity sphere embracing the whole of greater East Asia. The source of this remarkable drive toward a new harmony should be traced to the conclusion
of the Basic Treaty between Japan and China and the Joint Declaration made by Japan, Manchoukuo and China pledging mutual collaboration, which are the two most brilliant accomplishments of soldier-statesman Abé in the annals of newly-initiated diplomacy of Japan.
After relinquishing his post as envoy extraordinary to China, General Abé lived a peaceful life for some time. And when the Tohjo Cabinet was formed, certain circles believed that General Abé might be appointed a Minister without portfolio or Governor-General of Korea. But the soldier-statesman made no move to secure a place for himself. However, with the outbreak of the Pacific war, he realized the utmost importance of maintaining national solidarity. While the Japanese forces started gaining victories after victories, he thought of concentrating political power in the State to prepare the nation for a long-drawn-out war. And when the Government decided to hold a wartime general election for the Diet, his assistance was sought to guide the political campaign in conformity with its wartime policies.
Before the Government decided to hold the general election, it invited General Abé and thirty others representing different circles and interests for an exchange of opinion. As a result of the conversation, it was agreed that a national service election should be held, General Abé leading the movement. Consequently, with the announcement of the holding of general election, a National Service Election Council was formed, General Abé being appointed its chairman. This council recommended candidates for election selecting those who are best suited to evolve a one-way national politics on the basis of service to the State. The election campaign resulted in the return of eighty-two per cent. of the candidates recommended by the council to the House of Representatives. With the completion of the election, the council was dissolved and the Yokusan Seiji Kai—National Service Political Association—was organized with General Abé as its president. This association is now engaged in crystallizing political power, so that a single-dimensional
politics would have been established in the country, thereby effecting indissoluble relations between national politics and the Government.
The part General Abé had played as chairman of the National Service Election Council gave a new direction to parliamentary politics in the country. And now as President of the National Service Political Association, he has undertaken a task the completion of which would transform the political force of the parliamentarians into a united political power representing the Government and the people. He is indeed a reformist who is ever desirous of insuring the welfare and prosperity of the nation.
In contrast to his public life as a statesman, General Abé in home life is a genial old man, vivacious, witty and kindly. He has a youthful appearance and endearing disposition. For everybody he has an engaging smile and that is the reason why he does not look like a sword-bred army man; instead he looks like a benevolent elderly person ready to help others. Although he inspires respect for himself, no one feels a reverential fear in his presence. In fact, General Abé's personality is not awe-inspiring, but esteem-seeking. If anyone goes to visit him, he will receive that person very politely without any pride or haughtiness and will talk with him quite open-heartedly. He speaks with a slight northern accent, but then he knows how to converse charmingly. Despite his warm and affectionate nature, he has a quiet dignity of his own which repels undue familiarity.
General Abé also is a man of varied tastes; but he has no particular hobby. He is fond of horse-riding and likes to pat dogs, feed little birds, talk of wrestling, speak of archery, tamper with potted plants, and cultivate trees and grass. On the other hand, he is a great enthusiast of Bunraku's marionette, jhoruri, which is one of the Japanese classical arts. As president of the Jhoruri Society, he is endeavouring for the preservation of this old art. From all these it will be clear that his private life and public career have jointly given him a solid background to forge ahead as a distinguished statesman.