The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-12-26
EZgzzZzZZzzZZz
Story From a Diplomat;
Lone Day Before a War
Correspondent Presents His washington Diary
Telling Of Last Interview With Peace
Envoy Before Wars Beginning.
BY BAUKHAGE
National Farm and Home Hour Commentator

ne Hour Commentator.
seemed satisfied. He concluded:
Japan has been fighting four years.
Must talk facts, must be realistic
and talk principles afterward.
Chinese Duplicity Argument
There was more of the often-heard
argument about Chinese duplicity.
IF United States wants war, it
can have war. If it wants peace,
can have peace. And Japan can
be much more than friend to
America. You can beat us in the
end but it will be no push-over."
He was friendliness itself. Hav-
ing spoken his piece he made tele-
phone call and led me from the
chancery into the embassy which it
adjoins.
was impressed as I was the
first time I walked down the long
reception hall, with the delicate
beauty Of the setting. The price
less paintings on the walls with
their weird and elusive charm of
oriental art, the graceful furniture,
the gentle blending of tints in wall
decorations and wainscoting.
"This room is too large for con-
versation," said Mr.. Terasaki, indi-
eating the main reception room. So
he took me to smaller one and
we sat down for moment. Almost
Immediately Goodwill Ambassa-
dor Kurusu appeared, a little man
dressed in an expensive tweed suit.
He had small, close-cropped mus
tache and wore spectacles. His face
was long and under hurried glance
he might pass as an American.
Terasaki bowed low from the
hips, but Kurusu took my hand in
formally when I was presented.
Terasaki opened the conversation
by saying that / had said as long
as Kurusu was still here no news
was good news. Kurusu either mis-
understood Terasaki or chose to ig-
more his remark. We sat down and
Kurusu repeated in less formal
phraseology the general argument
which Terasaki had offered.
Kurusu Presents
Japan's Case
The two nations could agree on
principles with lengthy and leisurely
discussion-but now an emergency
existed. Japan was in a position
where she was forced to take GER
tain steps for her survival. The
United States would have to agree
to the discussion of realistic issues
first and leave the principles to later
discussion.
Unless that happened no progress
could be made.
.''Of course we are hopeful" he
said, rather hopelessly, I thought.
On the whole his attitude seemed to
confirm what Mr.. "X'' had said,
that Japanese-American relations
were in status quo-that Japan was
playing for time.
When I left I made a remark to
the effect that I was glad to see
Ambassador Kurusu had provided
himself with heavy suit, that evil
IDENTIFY he was prepared to stay all
to laugh heartily.
AS went out through the chan
Gerry, escorted by one of the idol
faced clerks, I asked if they were
always as busy as that on a Satur-
day afternoon. .
"Oh, no." he answered, "only
these days."
That concludes my "diary" for
December 6. ''' f'a.
AS l read it over in the light of
what happened within less than "a
hours after / rode away from the
Japanese embassy in cab which
had just brought one of the staff
to the door with luggage and golf
bags, some of the words spoken
there took on new meaning.
l had closeup of one phase of
what is probably the worlds great
est achievement in diplomatic du-
plicity. Mr.. Kurusu, believe, hasnot
been available for interviews since.
In Jones county, Mississippi, 60
farmers needed workstock. They
pitched in together, bought so mules
in one lot at nice price. To save
a little more money the farmers,
all of them borrowers from the de-
partment of agriculture, went one
step farther, put in cooperative
order for pillow gear. Their county
purchasing association, sponsored
by the Farm Security administra-
ton, bought go complete sets of
harness from local dealer, assem-
bled them at the mule barn. Saw
ings on this deal ran into SIPS. The
mule dealer fitted the gear on the
animals at no extra cost, assured
perfect harness fittings.