Sunday, 23 July

Fine, sun, quite warm

Today was the Abyssinian National Day. The Abyssinian Ambassador gave a reception in the hotel beginning at 8.00 in the evening, but I left at 10.00. Ambassador Kerr and the Australian Minister did not go. I thought Ambassador Kerr was not polite not to attend, no wonder in the Diplomatic Corps many of them think he is very snobbish. I reckon that whether one is respected by other people is firstly based on the country one represents, and secondly on one’s morality, intelligence, and knowledge. There is no need to be snobbish.

The Japanese cabinet has been formed by Koiso Kuniaki (小磯國昭)[1], Minister of the Navy. Iwanaga, Minister of War, Hajime Sugiyama (杉山元)[2], and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shigemitsu Mamoru(重光葵)[3]. Looking at these people I thought there seemed to be no change to the main policy. I suspected the reshuffling of the Cabinet was because of the Saipan Island defeat and they had no choice but to do something to pacify internal discontent.

[1] Koiso Kuniaki (1880-1950) was a Japanese military leader.

[2] Hajime Sugiyama (1880-1945) was a Japanese military leader.

[3] Shigemitsu Mamoru (1887-1957) was a Japanese diplomat and politician.