Evening star., 1941-07-16
Mutsuoku
Continued From First Pagel

IL 81 L a 81
more than month rumors have
been reaching this country that
Matsuoka was on the way out.
Within SIX weeks Matsuoka has
suffered two humiliations. In the
first place, Japan found 1t necces-
sary to withdraw from its stringent
demands on the Netherlands Indies
when the Indies refused to enter
tain them. That put Japan In an
embarrassing position.
In the second place, Matsuoka
was responsible for the non-aggres-
sion pact with Russia, which has
put Japan in an embarrassing posi-
ton since the outbreak Of the war
between Germany and Russia. Mat
suoka brought Japan into the Ger
man axis last September by sign
ing the tri-partite pact.
With Matsuoka gone, it is thought
that Japan might begin search for
a new formula on which TO base its
relations with the world besides
wholehearted cooperation with the
Axis. That would mean easing of
American concern about the Pacific,
and would make it possible to pur-
sue with greater vigor the admins
tration's policy of overseeing the At
lantic for the sake of England.
Matsuoka Was Danger to L. S.
AS long as Matsuoka was in
power, the prospect of need for
American naval action in the Pa
Clfc Ocean and the danger OF a
japanese push toward Singapore.
the British military citadel of the
Far East, was ever present.
1t has long been known here that
Germany was driving the Japanese
government toward ever more irri-
tating manifestations of anti-Amer-
lean opinion. Diversion of American
concern from Europe to Asia is of
great value to Germany, because 1t
lessons the strength Of American
assistance to England.
II is known. too. that Germany
has become increasingly dissatis-
fled with the lack of vigor in jap
anese policy. Berlin has found Mat
suoka too much master Of talk
rather than action.
This German displeasure. coupled
with the prospect of Matsuoka's alb
Sence from the next cabinet.
strengthens satisfaction here that
the new government will pursue a
more temperate policy in world af-
fairs.
Implication of Policy.
The full implication of the Mat
suoka policy was made clear in an
interview given to Walter Duranty
by Matsuoka and published by The
Star May 5, 1s41. Mr.. Duranty said
OF Foreign Minister Ma:suoks:
He said Japan had entered the
tri-partite agreement to keep the
United States out of war. and that
if now the United States should
be involved in hosilities with Ger
many, Japan would feel bound in
loyalty and honor to fight against
the United States"
What Japan would get out of the
Axis alliance is a question to which
Toxic has never received an ade-
quate answer.
Aside from the development of
the pro-Axis policy in its intensive
degree, the chief accomplishments
of Matsuoka have been:
Winning the right to air bases in
Indo-China and the closing of the
road from Indo-China to the Chinese
interior over which supplies reached
the Chinese armies fighting Japan's
armies.
Establishment of practical Japa-
nese hegemony over Siam, a door,
way to Malaysia and Singapore.
Temporary British agreement to
close the Burma road, another sup
ply route to China. This road is now
open.
! Stirred L. S. to Action.
On the other hand, the rise of
Matsuoka was the signal for an in
tence campaign by the United States
to hamper Japan economically by
withholding certain exports vital for
conduct of the war with
China.
1t was the signal, also, for British
abandonment of japanese appease-
ment, which had its last expression
in the Burma road closing. England
and the United States now present
common economic front toward
Japan.
The United States has made it
clear in recent months that it in
tends to live up TO Its previously
announced policy Of assistance to
China.