The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-05-31
MEMBER OF
HE ASSOCIATE PIX ISIS
SATURDAY, MAY 81, l94l
JAPANESE RELATIONS

SA L hDA . MA 1 o., lSfA
JAPANESE RELATIONS
Evidence OF a hopefully concilia-
.ory Administration attitude toward
Japan is seen by some officials be-
lind the scenes Of President Roose-
velt's abrupt challenge TO Germany.
There was no suggestion OF United
States acceptance OF Japanese OBJ
iectiyes in Asia nor a desertion Of
the Chinese to whom Mr.. Roosevelt
has promised more and more mill
tary supplies, but an optimistic be-
hind.the-scenes picture OF prepare
ton for the recent fireside chat
indicates that there is hope Of i'm
proving conditions in the Far East.
A congressional participant in the
pre-chat conference In which Mr..
Roosevelt outlined his remarks said
Mr.. Roosevelt had offered an inter-
esting explanation of why Japan
was not mentioned directly, al
though the President repeatedly pot
shotted "Nazis' and once hit at
"Fascists.
The explanation was that the
omission OF Japan from the
speech was intentional on the theo-
~ that Japanese business classes
will not long submit to the leader
ship OF the military clique which
now controls Japan. In expectation
that the latter will be overthrown
by Japanese business interests. Mr..
Roosevelt indicated that he did not
want to offend those in japan who
might materially alter the nations
policy by their own efforts.
The President is represented as
being confident that the Far East
ern Situation would develop in that
way. the first intimation that there
is hope OF chipping japan away
from the Axis
Despite claims OF that concilia-
tory attitude toward Japan, Mr..
Roosevelt has extended the export
licensing system to the Philippine
Islands. thus subjecting exports
from that territory to the same
rigid restrictions imposed on vital
defense materials produced in this
country. The action was requested
by the War Department. presuma.
bly, 10 establish strict control over
the movement of vegetable oils and
other materials from the Philippines
10 Japan.
Mr. Roosevelt's primary purpose
in phrasing his fireside char was
that cit would unity the country, -
he told his congressional conferees.
He permitted some OF them to go
away from the White House some
what confused regarding Admin
istrstioa policy on conveys and the
Neutrality Act. but he was specifi'
cally quoted by one OF his visitors
as having said that I'VE are past
the stage OF conveys" He explained
further that conveys were a teeh-
nique developed in the World War
and that il was up TO our military
and naval experts TO devise new
METHODS 10 overcome the German
blockade peril TO British shipping.
To explain each remark OF this
kind in a way that will please the
majority is one OF the Presidents
minor problems. He has his hands
pretty full and the people OF the
United States are going TO have
their hands full too, If the war trend
continues as it seems now to be
headed. The President may feel tina.
we should first confine our atten-
ton to Germany and that the Jap
enese situation will eventually work
out satisfactorily. Germany is prob
ably figuring just as intently upon
holding japanese support and being
prepared 10 open battle on the Pa
cific and the Atlantic at thu same
time. The whole situation resolves
itself into battle OF diplomacy and
strategy between Mr.. Roosevelt and
Herr Hitler with great resources OF
wealth and manpower behind both
men.