Evening star., 1940-12-13
BY LLOYD LEHRBAS.

Associated Press Stan writer.
Conquering hordes are ION the
march with great armies. air fleets,
and navies to take by force what
they say they need or want" and
the United States despite its
geographical position - is gravely
threatened by the sweeping tide of
their limitless invasions.
That picture of the world today
IN the words of Secretary of State
Hull sums up a widespread Amerl-
can opinion on the direction, oblec-
tives and methods of the axis
powers. and graphically explains
why the United States looks askance
at Japan's martial maneuvers in the
Far East.
Yosuke MatSuoka, Japans foreign
minister, declared in an interview
with American newspaper cores
pondents on Monday that the Ger
many-Italian-Japanese axis was the
keystone" of japanese foreign
policy. The japanese, he said,
would not "quibble" in going to the
defense of Germany and Italy should
occasion arise.
The minister's frank declaration
reinforced the opinion long held by
American officials that Japanese
policies and acts must be evaluated
as part of the axis powers new
world order" scheme, and not as
relating only to isolated action in
China or elsewhere in the Far East.
Dominating Role.
The axis, and especially Reichs-
fuehrer Hitler, most American
officials believe. plays a dominating
role in charting Japan's present
policies Much depends on when
and how Hitlers demands reinforc-
ing action from his Japanese part
ners.
The Japanese" one highly
placed person said, ARE just as
much the tail of Hitlers kite as are
the Italians"
If one circulates in Government
circles here, one hears such pic
turesque comments as this:
The pages of History have been
turned back to the robber- baron
days of the Middle Ages in this
war Genghis Khan and his horde
are riding again Tin kimonas) in
Asia, and Attila is again leading his
Huns to conquests in Europe under
the Swastika banner.
There's no change in their ruth
less invaSlonS except that. as a result
of speedy communications. Genghis
and Attila are synchronizing their
pillaging expeditions
Course Up to Japan.
Will the United States and Japan
go to war?
That depends-according to a sur
vey of sources here-On the Japa-
nese or, more concisely, on the path
finally chosen by the militaristic
groups now dominating the Japa-
nese government.
If the two nations do clash, it is
contended, it will be war instigated
by the Japanese with Logging on"
by Hitler and activated by Japan's
dream of becoming the one, all
powerful ruler of the Pacific, and
at the same time aiding the axis to
conquer Britain.
One official said japanese jingo-
lists, completely misunderstanding
American PHYSIOLOGY. are shoot
ing off their mouths" with two OBJ
jectives in view:
I. A deliberate effort to whip the
Japanese into crusading frenzy to
expand the japanese Empire at
what appears to be propitlous
moment at the expense of defeated
France 0ndo-China), the Neither
lands Netherlands Indies, and
Britain (Hong Kong. Burma and
Malaga, including Singapore).
2. An attempt to bluff the United
States into frightened inactivity or
neutrality while Japan's armed
forces march southwark.
Fundamental Issues.
The fundamental issues involved,
so the argument here runs, are as
follows:
Japan. ambitious to exclude the
United States and all other powers
from the Pacific and achieve un-
questioned mastery OF the Far East,
Is maneuvering to seize the British,
Dutch and French possessions-and
perhaps the Philippines-just as she
already has conquered and exploited
Formosa, Korea. Manchuria and
half of China.
Japan's invasion of China already
has gravely endangered huge
British stake in that spraWling ma
ton, including colonies, naval bases,
vital lines of communications and
investments in Chinese industry.
American financial, educational,
trade and missionary interests also
have suffered severely from the war
itself. from bombings and from the
Japanese-imposed restrictions which
have quickly followed the occupying
troops.
The Japanese, according to all
available reports, are now engaged
in similar occupation and exploit