Evening star., 1941-11-16
Japan Has Reason to Worry
Over Prospect of Pacific War
Maintenance of Status QUO Is Predicted, Although
Liquidation of Entire Question Appears
Remote as Ever
BY Constantine Bro,yn.

intense blockade of the Japanese islands?
The United States today has bases in
the Far East, the most important being
Singapore The Netherlands Indies and
the lesser islands strung across the South
Pacific provide excellent shelter for
american submarines and destroyers
The Japanese have frst-class bases in
the Western Pacific, but nothing to worry
us east Of the inundated islands. Any
attempt by the japanese to blockade
the American West Coast would have
about the same effect on us as flea
bite on an elephant. Hence auA,e the
most bellicose Japanese mllitarists are
thinking seriously of the consequences
of armed conflict with the United States
Furthermore, despite Japan'S official
adhesion to the Axis, there is strong
suspicion of the Reich among the most
enthusiastic japanese admirers of Adolf
Hitler. The japanese as a rule are sus-
picious of almost everybody They un-
questionably have reason to suspect Ger
manys sincerity.
Warned of Yellow Peril.
It is no longer a secret that at one
time, in the summer of 1888 when the
Reich government was making vague
attempts to placate the United States,
the German Ambassador in Washington
DR.. Hans Dieckhoff, made certain in
formal observations to high-ranking
Government officials in Washington. The
substance of these observations was that
soon or late all the white nations sQuab-
bling among themselves-French. British,
Americans and Germans-Would be con-
fronted with a common menace-the
yellow peril 1t is true that Hitler has
proclaimed the japanese honorary
Aryans," but that was after it had be-
come necessary for the Reich to have an
ally in the Far East
The German attack on Russia has
pleased the japanese militarists no end.
But it has also soWn a seed of doubt in
their minds. If the Germans have been
so ruthless, they reason. as to attack a
nation with which they had stronger ties
automatically speaking - than they
have with Japan, what would prevent
them from dealing Japan a convenient
stab in the back? Would not Germany,
at bay, be willing to negotiate an hon
orable peace with her present antag-
onlsts at the expense of the Japanese
empire, if by so doing she could soften
the peace terms of the British. Russians
and Americans? All these considerations
were carefully weighed by the intimate
advisers of Emperor Hirohito before
Kurusu was ordered to take the first
Clipper for Washington.
Full Settlement Appears Remote.
But while the japanese government is
far more worried than the United States
Government over the prospect Of an
armed clash in the Pacific, the likelihood
of liquidation of the entire question
appears as remote as ever.
It is admitted in responsible Washing
ton quarters that the outlined conces-
sions We would be willing to make to
Japan in exchange for her abandoning
the Axis are not sufficiently impressive
for a nation which for the last 10 years
has suffered all kinds of privations in the
sacred name of expansion. The japanese
people, from the iowly farmer and laborer
to the affluent banker and industrialist,
have been tod that their sacrifices
would be rewarded more than hundred
fold when Japan rules the entire Western
Pacific. and, with good luck, dominates
Australasia.
This is the most serious obstacle which
stands in the way of Japanese-American
rapprochement. The conversations be-
tween Kurusu, President Roosevelt and
Secretary of State Hull are awaited with
interest in Washington, however, and
while there is the vaguest hope that they
will yield any concrete results, some of
the highest American officials believe
the status quo will be maintained as long
as the japanese can stand the effective
economic blockade imposed by the United
States, Britain and the Netherlands
Indies.
The two countries will continue to
snarl at each other and the Japanese
will continue to be nuisance to US in
our fight against Hitler. They. in turn,
will continue to worry about what may
happen to them if present threats are
translated into action. And as long as
Russia holds her own, as long as Britain
stands against the Reich and our assist
ance to both is increasingly effective,
there is little chance that Toxic will do
more than continue torattle its saber