Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-03-23

Foreign Minister KoN Hirota Of
Japan. who seeks an entente cordiale
with the United States, was attached
to the japanese embassy at Washing
ton after the World War. 1t was he
who first warned Toxic that the
Washington conference of 1921 -22 was
en- the way and that Japan must be
prepared for an Anglo American deal
whereby the Anglo-Japanese alliance
would be annulled. No japanese
foreign minister ever had SO wide a
professional experience abroad as Mr..
Hirota. He was once in the embassy
at London, later Minister to the
Netherlands, and more recently Am
baSSador to the Soviet Union. He is
also an expert on China. Mr.. Hirota
began his diplomatic career under the
late Marquis Komura, Chief of the
Japanese delegation at the Ports
mouth peace conference. Komura
always predicted a brilliant career for
his protege. In addition to his skill
and background in diplomacy. Hirota
has a reputation as politician in
Japan. He recognizes the Importance
of molding a foreign policy that can
command strong domestic support.
y 4
In the March number of Contem-
porary Japan. published in English
at Toxic. an article entitled The
Real Hirota' sheds timely light on
the foreign minister's political philoso-
ply. 1t says: In dealing with the
Soviet Union, Hirota recognizes that
Japan faces difficulties in her inter-
national relations. If there is danger
of war with the United States, Japan
must endeavor to win the Soviet
Union as an ally. If there is to be
clash with the Soviet Union. in
timacy with the United States must
be assured beforehand. &" AS Hirota
believes that sound development of
Manchukuo will serve to promote the
well-being of both Asia and the whole
world, he agrees with Japan's Other
diplomats and military leaders that
it must be made the very basis OF
Japanese diplomacy. Neither Japan
nor the rest of Eastern Asia can en-
Joy peace without corresponding peace
and order in Manchukuo. Foreign
policy and national defense are like
the two sides of shield, and the
domestic and world situations should
determine which side to turn outward
at any particular moment. At this
particular moment Japan must not
come into conflict with any nation
4 x x X
President Roosevelt is described by
his associates and others who have
sat in with him on arbitral occasions
as being at the top of his form in
such conferences as he has been hold
ing this week between antagonistic
groups in the automobile industry.
Despite his characteristic volubility,
F. D. R. is an excellent listener and
a glutton for information on contro-
versial subjects. He lends patient ear
to both sides, sits judicially on what
he's heard, and then comes to. quick
decisions. Bitterly opposed spokesman
always leave the Presidents presence
feeling they've had a real day In
court. Mr.. Roosevelt relies strongly
upon Secretary Perkins in industrial
disputes. She has been his labor
counselor now for the better part OF
10 years.
X \ X X
REPRESENTATIVE Edward A. Kenney,
Democrat, of New Jersey, has been
informed that the Ways and Means
Committee will shortly hold hearings
on his bill to raise 81 900, 100000 a
year through Government lottery to
finance the Veterans Administration
and ether public expenditures. Next
Sunday night Mr.. Kenney will broad
cast about his project over big hook
up. He argues that the country must