Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-06

The invasion OF Indo-China Is the
first trial balloon of the Toxic military
government. Japan is watching with in
terest to see what the reaction Of the
United States will be. The answer to
the invasion has not been given officially
except by statement from Secretary
Hull describing this move as an act of
piracy. The other answer-effective
support to the government of Indo-China
japanese invasion-will be the trial bal
loon of the United States.
1t is not divulging any military secrets
to say that the United States Navy is
awaiting further developments with tire
utmost confidence.
U. S. Navy Prepared.
The plans for an eventual clash with
Japan have been worked out in the most
minute detail. Everything is ready for
any eventuality, and all that the COM
mander in chief, Admiral James o.
Richardson, needs is a word from Wash
ington. There can be no major sur
prise. And while the United States
Army and Air Force still have many
gaps and will not be prepared for actual
war for many months, the Navy has
never been in better trim than it Is now.
But, of course. this preparation Of the
Navy is predicated on Great Britains
ability to continue to police the Atlantic
lanes. For the time being the British
naval losses, while severe. have not i'm
paired her fighting ability, as compared
with the Italian and German fleets.
The trend of United States policy has
hardened the power of resistance Of the
British. Upon learning certain new
facts from the United States, Premier
Churchill said to distinguished Amer
lean who was returning to the United
States: Tell your people that London
may be RACED, and so may Liverpool.
Manchester and other cities. But that
won't matter. AS long as we have an
air force capable of taking the air this
country will fight to the bitter end. We
shall sleep in the fields or in caves, but
We won't give in"
BY combination of circumstances
the situation has developed now so that
the destinies of the United States and
Great Britain are linked. The British
Fleet has become of paramount impor-
lance for the national defense of the
United States and Americas effective
cooperation has become matter of life
and death for the British Empire.
Russia is satisfied temporarily with the
pact with Germany and the gains de-
rived from it. But Stain is intensely
suspicious of the new agreement giving
Japan free hand in the Far East
Japan's expansion southwark does not
particularly concern Russia. But the
Russian dictator fears the future. If
Japan, he says, becomes a first-class
power by the acquisition of China, Indo-
China, Singapore and the Dutch East
1ndias, how will Russia be able to pre-
vent her from expanding later north
ward toward Siberia?
Chang Liberal Toward Soviet.
But while Germany is endeavoring to
obtain definite answer from the Krem-
lin regarding its attitude in the event
Of Japanese American conflict, Gen.
eralissimo Chang Kai-shek is also dis
cussing terms" with the Soviets. Chang
is liberal in his offers. according to re-
ports from Moscow. He is willing that
the Russians should establish themselves
in Manchuria and in Korea-providing
they can take these provinces from the
Japanese-and is also willing to assist
the Soviet Armies in the conquest of
these provinces by renewing the Often
sive against the Japanese. All he wants
Is support in war materiel and airplanes.
For the time being the Russians have
suspended all shipments to Chang Kali
shek. But it would not be difficult for
them to resume their support of the
Chinese generalissimo if circumstances
warranted such an action. The United
States has refused to recognize the de-
tachment of Manchuria because it was
done by force. Should the Chinese gov
eminent agree, however, to a transfer
of that province to a third power, the
United States would see no reason to
object to such course.
Conversations between Washington
and Moscow will continue until matters
take a more definite shape. In the
the American Government is
prepared for an emergency which It feels
must come sooner than most people
expect.