Evening star., 1939-10-20

8 by either the President of the
United States or the Secretary of
atate or BOTH
Mr.. Grew recently spent consider
lble time in Washington and had
opportunity to 60 over in detail the
vhole Japanese e-American situation.
1e became so familiar with the point
d view of the President and Secre-
TRY Hull that it was unnecessary
br him to submit his speech in
4ivance. He was given the widest
discretion in the use of words and
hrases. for he has been so long in
Toxic that he alone would know
vhat would or would not impress
he Japanese. Likewise the Jap
anese know that the President and
1r. Grew are old personal friends
md that in such an intimacy of
PERSONAL as we'll as governmental
lature lies mutual confidence.
Wants to Cement Relations.
What is significant is that Mr.
&reW announces he is to make
sries of speeches and that he will
tlk straight from the horses
Mouth" Only rarely does any am
hssador set for himself a program
d speech-making concerning his
diplomatic mission, but the move
must have been decided upon be-
euse of a belief that Japanese public
(oinion is not aware of the pitfalls
Which lie in a continuance of the
resent militaristic policy of the
japanese.
Clearly, in the troubled state OF
he world, the United States wants
b cement, if possible, her relations
Tith Japan. This could not be done
yith Japan tied up to an aggressor
combination of states, nor can it be
lone now if aggression is to be
tapan's method of expansion.
The United States Government
fels that the key to Japan's future
IS we'll as to peace in the Far East
les in a resumption of the "open
toor' policy, which was initiated
u1der the Republican administration
President Mckinley. when John
lay was Secretary of State and
thich has been supported uniformly
" Democratic Secretaries of State
yer since.
Address Timed.
The Grew address is timed to CO.
hcide with the changes in the
World situation. and, while there is
4othing in the address which implies
threats or even further protests OF
I grave nature, it cannot be denied
hat the point which the President
wants to get over to the Japanese
! that America cannot develop a
eal relationship with Japan unless
ertain alterations are made in pres
mt policies and unless some way is
bund to change the whole face of
tfairs in the Far East.
America, as close friend of China
md of Japan, is in position to
hing to an end the long war that
las been in progress, or at least to
ly the foundations for a peace set
tement which will permit normal
fade to be resumed. But, if Japan
thinks that Britain or France or
holland or any of the other powers
Aterested in the Far East will fore
3 equal commercial opportunity as
Established by past treaties, then a
tank statement of the futility of
Sch a course may tend to prevent
Misunderstanding in the future.
nanperS Of Policy
What America is trying to do I'M
qestionably through the tactics OF
flank expression is to reaff1rm her
psf position, as expressed in notes
and diplomatic communications, but.
a the same time, to urge in as po-
lie and friendly way as possible
tat the civilian elements in the
japanese government give renewed
consideration to the dangers of
1reign policy which drives Japan
frther and farther away from her
Shtural friends in the Pacific
The Presidents experiment OF
soaking publicly through an Am
hssador who is as careful as he is
Atelligent may or may not succeed,
hut it comports with the highest
taditions of American foreign policy
to deal straight across the table
Nth the facts and trust to the good
fnse and sincerity of the japanese
pvernment to see that more is to be
Pined now by bringing about set
tement of the friction in the Far
last than by letting it drag along
tom episode to episode and from
ilcident to incident whilst economic
md trade problems accumulate.