Evening star., 1941-06-25
japanese Are Worried
By j. ). Promise Of
Help for Russia
Leaders, Discussing Nuzi
Attack on Soviet, Keep
Anxious Eye on America
81 the Associated Press.

| By the Associated Press
TOXIC. June 24.-The govern
ment in two important secret con-
/ ferences discussed Japans role in
/ the new Russian German war to-
day, keeping an anxious weather
eye on the attitude of the United
States.
The authoritative Japanese news
agency Domei reported worried dis
cussion of the possible consequences
for Japan of the United States
promise of aid for Russia The
popular newspaper Yomiuri sug-
gested that American friendllness
toward Russia was due to IAN effort
to gain a foothold against Japan
and encircle her in the Pacific. and
the newspaper Hochi said there was
a military menace" in this situa-
ton for Toxic.
1t was believed in some informed
quarters that the empires leaders
had decided Japan must choose be-
tween her pacts with the two great
European belligerents and it was
indicated that a statement, which
may make known this decision.
would be issued tomorrow.
Japan has an alliance with Ger
many and Italy; she has a two
month-old neutrality pact with
Russia.
Results Taken to Emperor.
n,-,,, E,,,
laid the results of the two meetings
before Emperor Hirohito. I'm
portance was attached to the fact
that after his audience with the
sovereign Konoye was closeted with
Marquis KIDD, Lord privy seal. to
whom any major matters of state
would be communicated.
The first of today's conferences
was a joint session of the imperial
high command and the cabinet, an
unusual procedure. Thereafter the
cabinet met for three hours. Then
Prince Konoye went to the palace.
Gen Eiki TOTO. war minister, told
a meeting of munitions makers that
the japanese army lis making full
preparations for placing the country
in a position of perfect security by
coping efficiently with the ever
changing international situation"
But he failed to indicate what choice
Japan would make if she had TO
decide between Germany and Russia.
L. S. Attitude "Defies Prediction"
The future attitude of the United
States, he said "defies prediction"
He urged the munitions makers to
seek greater skill and efficiency and
ensure the even flow of munitions
by conducting research and improv
ing technique"
It was indicated that legal eX-
perts Of the foreign office were going
over Japan's treaties with Germany
and Russia word by word to deter
mine Japan's exact obligations and
explore possibilities for her future
course.
The official position still is that
there is no conflict between the two
pacts and in japanese eyes they
have equal validity since both bear
the Emperor's seal
Both. it was recalled were made
by the present government with
Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka |
taking the initiative. He was the
actual signer of the Russian treaty. |
1t was understood that Russia |
already has tried to learn whether |
Japan would make a choice be-
tween the two great belligerents |
Constantin Smetanin |
spent half an hour with Matsuoka |
presumably for this pur-
pose
One concrete Far Eastern result
of the Russian German war is the
closing of Vladivostok to supplies for
Germany which hitherto have been |
carried over the long Trans-Siberian
Railway. This. it was said. might |
lead to reopening of economic nego-
tiations between Japan and the
Netherlands Indies. One reason for |.
the rupture of these was the Indies !
charge that Japan might transship |
via Russia some of the strategic raw
m q tcrials che hopnd tn oht ain