Evening star., 1941-02-07
Nazi ziVictoryCa||e
Only Hope Of Japan
Escaping Dilemma
Defect Of Germany Would
Give Powers Full Time
To Cope With Toxic
Ninth OF a series.)
Nv A. r. STEELE,

ohicaso Daily News Foreign Correspondent.
TOXIC (By Clipper Without
q German victory in Europe there
is little or no chance for the realiza-
ton of the grandiose Japanese pro-
gram for a new order in Asia.
Japans fate is now irrevocably
intertwined with Germanys. Only
through a NaI triumph can the
Japanese hope to wriggle out OF the
dilemma into which the Japanese
Army has dragged them during the
last three years.
If Germany loses, then Japan
loses, too. In that case, the United
States, Great Britain and Soviet
Russia would be able to give Japan
their undivided attention. Against
the combined pressure of these three
great powers, plus continued resist
ance from China, Japan would have
no choice but to withdraw to the
tight little empire she controlled
before the Japanese Army began
getting delusions of grandeur.
A German victory would en-
nance. but would not guarantee, the
possibility of Japanese success. The
situation would depend then on the
inclination and capacity OF powers
bordering the Pacific to continue
applying pressure.
Meanwhile, Japan is coming more
and more under the sway OF vision
aries who think only in terms OF the
distant but dazzling objectives. like
state socialism and Asiatic hege-
inony, and are undeterred by the
immediate obstacles, terrifying
though they may seem. There Will
be no turning back as long as these
men are in control. They are
gamblers all, and they are willing to
stake Japan's whole wealth and
manpower on the effort. They are
dangerous lot.
Missionaries in Power.
In previous articles. have men,
toned few Of the extremists and
rishtists who are coming into power
in Japan as the internal condition
Of the country deteriorates. At the
top of the list is Baron Kiichiro
Hiranuma, Minister Of Home AZ
fairs. The government rolls are shot
through with the names OF other
outstanding radicals, most Of them
In key posts The majority have
come into ONCE since the birth Of
the prince Fumimaro) Konoye
government The newst recruit Is
Gen. Sadao Araki, a rabid ultrana-
tionalist, who probably will become
an adviser to the cabinet.
Among the better-known vision
aries now in power Is Naoki Hoshino.
who, as president of the Powerful
Planning Board. is the directing
genius behind Japan's vast 10-year
program for economic domination Of
all East Asia Hoshino won his spurs
in Manchukuo. AS chairman OF the
Central Affairs Board of the Man
chukuo government, Hoshino was
virtual business manager OF the pup
pet state during its formative years.
He is young, extremely able and,
Withal, a dreamer of mighty dreams.
He is one of the few men Of out
standing ability among Japanese
leaders and is certain to 60 far in
Japanese politics.
Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka
Is an opportunistic politician who
has ridden into power with the new
reform government. His big weak
ness is that he talks too much. He
is performing the remarkable politi-
cal feat of riding half a dozen horses
moving in different directions at the
same time. On the one hand, he
proudly claims credit for putting
over the pact with the axis; on
the other, he processes passionate
desire to keep peace with the United
States. On the one hand. he prom
ises to do all in his power to curb
the forces of conquest and greed"
(the army; on the other, he is one
Of the most enthusiastic advocates
Of the army's chauvinistic plan for
o new order in greater East Asia"
Secret Societies Influential.
Under Matsuoka, in the foreign
office, is another pair of dangerous
visionaries: Toshio Shiratori, for
mer ambassador to Rome, and
Chuichi Ohashi, the shrewd, talk
ative politician who helped create
Manchukuo and dreams of greater
achievements in imperialistic mid
wifery. Chiratori, a man of con-
siderable talent, is talked of as a
future minister for foreign affairs.
He is completely sold on the NaZi
program for partitioning the world.
Two of Fascism's dearest friends,
Col. Kingoro Hashimoto and Seigo
Eakano, are among the II directors
Of the Imperial Rule Assistance As
ISOLATION Col. Hashimoto, head of
the Japanese imitation of the Hitler
Yugend fyouth), is violently anti
American and chauvinistic. He has
been described by an American
writer as "the most dangerous man
IN Japan" Nakano, civilian, was
long storm center in Japanese
politics as head of the rightist
Tohokai party.
With radicals like these coming
into prominence, it is not surprising
that secret societies of superpatriots,
like the Black Dragon Society, are
growing increasingly active and in
fuential. At an Christian
meeting sponsored recently by the
Black Dragon Society, the list of
speakers included Mitsuru Toyama,
president of the society, and an i'm
posing array of public figures,
among them a general, a prince and
. baron.
Most powerful of the extremists
m the government, however, Is 1t.
Gen. Hideki TOTO, who, as Minister
OF War, is spokesman for the Japa-