Evening star., 1937-10-13

Amazed diplomatic quarters buzz with
a story to the effect that Japan is con-
sidering a bold and dramatic step to
manifest her disregard of American pro-
test against her procedure in China.
Toxic is reported to be contemplating
nothing less than the establishment of a
Washington legation for ''independent"
Manchukuo, Serenely oblivious to the
fact that the puppet state has never
been recognized by the United States.
The story is circumstantial even to the
point of having it that a site is already
picked out-the palatial home of the
former Mrs. Sylvanus Stokes at 2520
Massachusetts, avenue. The $l50,OOO
house, of Spanish stucco design, is next
door to the japanese Embassy. Mainte-
nance of a diplomatic agency without
officia, relations with our Government
is no novelty in Washington. The Soviet
Union for years prior to recognition kept
up a place, which also happened to be
on Massachusetts avenue. 1t was pre-
sided over by Boris Skvirsky, later coun-
selor of Embassy under Ambassador
Troyanovsky. The U. S. S. R. did not
call its headquarters a legation. 1t was
known as the Soviet Information Bu-
u, ,
informal access to the State Department
and was frequently of service to our
Government and citizens. Perhaps
Japan intends hoisting Manchukuo's
flag to the Potomac breeze under some
such guise. Emperor Pu vi was repre-
sented here until year ago by the
late George Bronson Rea, former Amer
ican editor in the Far East.
Senator Barkley of Kentucky, Demo-
crotic majority leader, will make his
first public address, since inheriting Joe
Robinson's toga, at a banquet in Newark
tomorrow night. He is billed to appear
in very mixed political company. His
hosts include Republican Gov. Harold
Hoffman of New Jersey, State Senator
Clee, Republican gubernatorial candi-
date against Democratic United States
Senator A. Harry Moore. The latter
was one of the New Deal insurgents who
opposed the Presidents Supreme Court
bill. Among others who will welcome
Senator Barkley are Paul Block, pub
Usher of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette,
which exposed Justice Blacks adolescent
indiscretion with the Ku Klux Klan, and
Thomas R. McCarter, one Of the Ma
tons outstanding economic royalistS.
The latter is president Of the Edison
Electric Instit'r-.e, the battle ak of the
power and utility interests which see
their future menaced by T. v. A., Bonne-
Vile. Grand Coulee. Fort Peck and the
other great hydroelectric projects close
to the Rooseveltian heart.
\ \
Mr.. Justice Black, a day or two before
he took his temporarily safe seat on
the Supreme Court bench, paid the
customary round of private visits to the
other associate justices. The only sig
nificant thing about this is that he
wasn't escorted, as was his immediate
predecessor. Mr.. Justice Cardozo, by
Chief Justice Hughes. Whether any
significance attaches to this circum-
stance, or not. it's caused eyebrows to
be raised in quarters which have heard
of the Alabaman's unchaperoned swing
around the circle of his black-robed
brethren.
Mr.. Roosevelt recently expressed re-
gret over his inability to attend one of
Washingtons professional foot ball
games. F. D. RS staff wonders how he
would comport himself at Baltimore next
Saturday, should he decide to take in
the Navy Harvard contest. AS an ardent
Navyite and loyal Harvard alilmnus, the
President would be torn between eorely