Evening star., 1940-09-27

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long as sensible elements in both
countries exist. The facts. how
ever. are that communication of
peaceful intentions is impaired by
series of events which may slowly
drag both countries into the con-
f1ict against their own desires and
interests.
In Japan there is military fac
ton which ignores the civilian
groups. The United States Govern
ment has made repeated efforts to
persuade the military in Japan
that the status quo in the Far
East must not be upset and that
part of the world must not be
plunged into the world war. Many
Americans friendly to Japan have
been expressing the same hope and
have been urging not a policy of
"appeasement.' which means sur
render of vital interests under COM
pulsion but frank examination of
all the issues involved so that some
peaceful way of dealing with the
problem may be found.
If civilizing influences are not
brought to bear at both Toxic and
Washington. America and Japan
will inevitably drift into war. The
problems are by no means in
solvable. but at the same time both
America and Japan. through their
governments, must be prepared to
be realistic and practical.
Reasons for Friendliness.
The United States has every rea-
son to maintain friendly relations
with Japan and the japanese have
every reason to remain friendly with
America This is because a friend
ship between America and Japan is
logical and tranScends every advan-
tage that might seem to accrue for
a new friendship between Japan and
Germany.
Germans in the Far East have in
the past been difficult for the jap
anese to deal with and they would
continue to be if Japan contributed
to Nazi domination of the whole
world. Next, AMERICA will always
have a strong feet and in due time
will have a tWo-ocean Navy. This
can only mean added burdens of eX-
pense for Japan in trying to keep
up with the armament race set by
the richest and. industrially. the
most powerful nation in the world.
Likewise, if the military elements
In Japan insist on their alliance
with Germany, it will leave to
America the course of an open al
lance with China as a means of
harassing Japan. The reason why
events in the Far East are becoming
grave is that the Japanese realized
they must choose between America
and Germany and the military party
has chosen Germany. This can have
in the end but one result-war be-
tween America and Japan.
1t is hardly to be doubted that the
United States would allow situa-
ton to exist in the world in which
the Nazis controlled the Pacific
through Japan and the Atlantic
through a defeated Britain. The
day of reckoning might be postponed
but it will hardly be averted if
Japan sticks to her alliance with the
axis.
Some Want Showdown Now.
There are some who argue that
the time for a showdown is the
present, when China can be readily
armed and when the American fleet
is already in the Pacific. This state
of mind is one of the most dam
gerous that could prevail, but it
might enlighten the military ele-
ments in Japan who are pushing
toward the Dutch East Indies, where
vital raw materials like rubber and
tin are produced.
America has been moving through
diplomatic channels to impress upon
the japanese that the United States
is not ready for Far Eastern
Munich" but is ready now TO pro-
tect her interests and to insist on
the status quo. What this could
make possible is a peaceful re-
examination of all the issues be-
tween China, Japan and the United
States. 1t would be a great diplo-
,,o,t;o ctroke if the limited States