Evening star., 1941-12-04


a., moved d I'M. tnto =
stream to be David lwrsncs.
used against the Japana troops.
The truth is that tn japanese
militarists believe fundantally the
United States took sic in the
Chinese Japanese war and the
treaty between Toxic I'd Berlin
was a measure of defee against
rising American aid to hina.
In the face of these cdradictory
claims and charges, tn fact re-
mains that Britain's r in the
present crisis is far I'm clear.
Prime Minister Churchillas prom
ised the United States Tt he will
ask Parliament to dare war
against Japan within theour after
Japan has begun W against
America. But at the preselmoment,
the British are moving nttary and
naval forces into the Sin9ore area
and there is no doubt Rt when
Britain moves. Japan csiders it
her duty TO move, too.
May Effect Status no.
What is rather surprise is that
diplomatic conversati tionS i've been
proceeding In Washingto without
a definite understandi being
reached in advance by tn sides
to maintain the status q during
the talks. Usually in Slomacy
when a crisis is reachedhe first
requirement of any parle is that
neither side shall take vantage
of the situation TO creepp in a
military way to any objeNe that
might be useful as basof war
operations.
1t is not too late fosuch a
declaration of status ql to be
reached by agreement. Mbe that
Is what the present intersatories
will lead to. for in askiI Japan
why she is moving her fore, toward
the Burma road, Amerit either
must be prepared 10 say lat the
movement shall cease ando back
up such a declaration or & agree
to status quo. This cd very
we'll be the forerunner to seneral
status QUO in the Far EaI or an
armistice as between Jsh and
China.
Japan Is d proud natiotand a
sensitive one. Her milita1S are
acting with a degree of espon-
slbility that has made evl large
elements of the Japanese ,litica,
group apprehensive. 1t is ressary
for the United States not toaneu-
yer in such a way as to givs1rthel
ammunition to the militars bu
to place the latter in the sitior
of taking the initiative if thArley!
fail.
The request for stat qut
agreement does not impu th'
good faith Of Japan as a atior
but merely compels the maris
government to state whetr i
wishes to go on moving trod ant
warships even while the rley
are going on. 1t is another iy o
accomplishing what the Anical
Government may have had inint
in making the inquiries.
Could Defer Understandi,
II the japanese governmt
willing to agree that it wi no
move any of its forces, it alsana
b. willing to agree to widraN
what it has sent to Indo-Chl il
the last three weeks that the rley
have been going on, but such ste
Is not essential to any prelinar
agreement. II Japan andth
United States really wish to foi
war, they can do so by first tee
ing to a status quo and thefn
larging gradually the terms onlc
ar agreement without comi1 t
an understanding on fundantts
issues till the time for such a Sle
rent is more opportune THANH
today
Most of the japanese ousinehe
are leaving the United StateTt
luctantly. They are an unhapHlo
In Japan. most of the Amehr
have either gone home or are Fl
Ing 10 60. They. TOO. are sad p'
the turn of affairs. What seen
regrettable is that the spokesmf
the two governments have notet
able during the last several md
to come TO grips with the undef1
issues. America feels that sh4
been patient and palnstakingr
II is true. for instance, that 81
tarv Hull has worked hard to a.
An agreement. But il there !
been inconsistencies and contrt
tions on the japanese side. 1t Isl
true that Japan's policy has
one OF evolution. Her militarists
been slowly but surely informd
the steadfastness of the Amet
view and this has challenged
japanese officials in Toxic to III
way to bring about an adjustrf
The chances of peace depend
on how much the American d
ment has penetrated and on
much skill our diplomatiSts will
In avoiding steps that aggravatd
do not help heal the friction.
nations that do not hate each Z
or dislike each other ought nd
hnd themselves fighting one and
because Of a lack Of reasoning p