Evening star., 1941-12-07
Presidents Action
Looked on Here
As Last Step
Bv BLAIR BOLLES.

President Roosevelt last night
communicated message direct
" to Emperor Hirohito of Japan
an unprecedented action-as
disturbing reports reached the
State Department that two large
and heavily escorted conveys
were seen yesterday morning
steaming into the Gulf Of Siam,
which washes the shores OF
Thailand.
At the same time, the State De-
partment said its reports showed
japan had 125000 troops in Indo-
China, next door TO Thalland, with
$4,000 of them in Southern lndo-
China.
The State Department, in an
nounCing the President was sending
the message, was completely silent
on the nature of the communlca-
tion. but diplomats viewed the step
as an eXtraordinary-perhaps a last
chance-move to put up to Japan
the whole burden of the preserva-
ton of peace in the Pacific. How
the message was sent. at what time,
whether it was an ultlmatum or
plea-none Of these questions was
to be answered last night.
The view was expressed by in
tereSted authorities that the Chief
Executive Of the United States has
taken the longest possible stride in
the negotiation with Japan by COM
municating with the highest author
itv in Japan. the Son Of Heaven,
and that the President can go no
further.
Next Step Japans.
The next step. it was felt. Is
wholly I'D to Japan. for whom the
movements Yesterday Of this coun-
try. the British. the Australians ana
the Dutch in regard TO the Eastern
Pacific sector were filled with warm
ings of VAL. That Japan stands on
the very brink Of war was the con-
sensus in informed circles III WASH
ington last night. A threat TO Thai
land would be the wars occasion,
il was felt.
There was some speculation here,
too whether the Presidents mes
sage to the Emperor did not contain
statement of dissatisfaction with
the japanese explanation given hlm
Yesterday as to the reason for Japa-
nese troop movements in lnoo-
China. Once before, but indirectly,
President Roosevelt communicated
with Emperor Hirohito. That was
on December 13. 1887 in a men,
orsndum presenting the American
rase for our demand for satiSfac-
ton for the bombing Of the gunboat
Panay.
That message was delivered orally
to the Emperor through the offlces
Of the late Hiroei Saito, then Japa-
rese Ambo esad0r here. 1t was
rather communication for the
,Jaoanese government brought to
the attention of the Emperor than
a message for the Emperor. It pro-
duced results, and the United States
received satisfaction for the Panay
attack.
Military Picture Given.
The State Department announced
that the japanese conveys were
seen to the southeast of Point de
Cameau Point Cambodia), which
lies at the southern extremity OF
Indo-China. steaming westward to-
ward the Gulf of Siam. AT the
same time, the department said
that reports reaching it gave this
picture of the japanese troop as
semblv in Indo-China:
$4,000 troops in Southern 1ndo-
China
25.O00 in Northern Indo-China.
10000 in harbors OF IndoChlna.
125.OO0 in InGo-China in all.
These figures were issued with
out comment. but they served as
an official American refutation OF
the japanese contention. set forth
Fridav in a note delivered to the
State Department and then hurried
to President Roosevelt, that re-
ports about Japanese troops move
ments in Indo-China had been
exaggerated. The highest published
Ca 1hDhN Doue Adl