Evening star., 1941-11-16
Envoy Kurusu Arrives

Envoy Kurusu Arrives
Saburo Kurusu, Japan's eleventh.
hour special emissary, flew into
Washington yesterday by plane from
the Pacific Coast. He had hoped to
get here sooner, but the trans
Pacific Clipper which bore him from
the Orient was delayed at Midway
Island by engine trouble. Therefore,
he reached Washington on the very
day when the Japanese Diet, con-
vened in extraordinary session, opens
what Toxic papers describe as "the
most momentous session in its
history"
Although, in view Of the acute
crisis in Japanese-American rela-
tions, there may be informal diplo-
matte exchanges over the week end
Mr. Kurusu is not expected to confer
with Secretary OF State Hull and
meet President Roosevelt until to-
morrow. Likewise, the japanese
Diet will not get down to business
until the first Of the week. The Sat-
urday session was of a ceremonial
character.
There can be no question that the
next few days will witness most i'm
portant developments in both WASH
lngton and Toxic, even though the
decisions taken may not be made
public Immediately. The japanese
government headed by General Toto
and representing the militaristic
elements has prepared a series of
measures for submission to the Diet
which reflects its determination to
be ready for anything 1t is asking
Tor an extraordinary war fund" of
nearly 4,000000,0OO yen and a gen.
eral appropriation OF 10000, 900 yen.
AS emergency financing, the cabinet
has prepared a tax program increas-
Ing and in some cases doubling the
already stiff indirect taxes on So
called luxuries, which cover prac-
tically everything except the bare
necessities Of life. No less than thir-
teen measures Of an emergency
character will be laid before the
Diet. further strengthening the gov
ernment's powers, which already are
almost dictatorial. Among these
measures are an extension OF the ex-
isting postal censorship and provi-
sion for additional funds for the
China campaign. Most notable of
all Is the military service revision
project, whereby nearly 1000 900 re-
servists previously placed in Class
c for physical Or other reasons will
be called up for re-examination.
Likewise, Japanese residents of
China, Hong Kong and Portuguese
Macao, hitherto exempted from mill
tary service, will be made subject to
conscription. Non on-commissioned Of
f1cers up to forty years old and re-
serve officers up to fifty-one years
are made subject to mobilization,
Lastly, a plan designed to prepare
high school boys for possible induc-
tion into the armed forces has been
extended.
Thus Japan is digging deeper into
her reserves Of both money and men
than ever before in her history. Such
sacrifices could be asked Of the nation
only in event of an extreme emer-
gency. That is precisely what
Japan's leaders are telling the people
by official statements, through the
government-controlled press, and
through the spokesmen of the I'M
perial Rule Assistance Association
the one-party which
serves as the link between govern
ment and people on the model of the
Nazi and Fascist parties.
1t is against this ominous back
ground that Mr.. Kurusus mission
should be seen and evaluated. He is
one OF Japan's most experienced dip
lomats, well versed in Western ways
from a lifetime of service in both
the diplomatic and consular
branches, part of it in America,
where he married an American wife.
Mr.. Kurusu will need all his profess
sional talents, for seldom has a dip
lomat had harder assignment. He
should have the good wishes of all
lovers Of peace on both sides OF the
Pacific.