Evening star., 1941-04-14
New Toxic Pact
Won Alter us.
Policy Hull Says
Declares Accord With
Soviet Could Be
Overestimuted
fTert OF Russidn-Japdnese
treaty on Page ABB
By GARRETT d. HORNER.

ny 1AhNElI II. HUM Ehs
Secretary of State Hull today de-
scribed the new Russo-Japanese
neutrality pact as merely reducing to
writing a situation that had existed
between the two countries for some
time and said that it would not af-
feet United States policy.
The significance of the treaty by
which the Soviet and Japan pledged
neutrality in case either should be
the object of military action by an
other power could be overesti-
mated" the Secretary said in re-
sponse to inquiries at a press con-
ference.
Taking the unusual procedure of
allowing his words to be quoted di-
rectly, Mr.. Hull added:
THE agreement would seem to
be descriptive of a situation which
has in effect existed between the
two countries for some time past.
1T, therefore, comes as no sur
prise, although there has existed
doubt whether the two governments
would or would not agree to say 1t
in writing.
"The policy of this Government,
Of course, remains unchanged.
There was no elaboration of the
reference to this Governments pol
icy.
Long-Standing Belief.
The Secretary's comment was in
line with long-standing belief in
official quarters here that Japan
and Russia were inclined to CO.
operate to the extent of permitting
each other free hand in their re-
spective spheres so long as there
was no direct clash of Russo
japanese interests.
However, observers noted that on
its face the pact contained double
barreled implications, with one bar
rel pointing toward the United
States and Britain in the Pacific
and the other toward Germany in
the Balkans. The freeing of Russia
from possible Japanese threat to
IIcl DdCh uOCl III lllc LdSG IL SllC
should become involved in war with
the Nazis shared importance with
the pact's obvious removal of a
Soviet check on Japanese ambitions
for South Pacific conquests, in
speculation here on significance of
the development.
In line with Secretary Hulis COM
ment that the pact's actual signifi-
canoe could be ''overestimated,"
Chairman Bloom of the House For
eign Affairs Committee declared
that 'it really doesn't mean any
thing because they have not kept
faith in the past with what they
have signed"
Among other legislators generally,
there was privately expressed con-
Germ that with assurance of Rus
sian neutrality and respect for her
interests in Manchukuo, Japan
would feel free to move against
British and Dutch territory in the
South Pacific, directly menacing
United States interests in that area.
1t was recalled in informed quar-
ters, however, that Russia never
makes any diplomatic concessions
except in bargaining for something
important to her own self-interest
and that Soviet policy generally in
the last few weeks has been marked
by a stiffening attitude toward Nazi
penetration in the Balkans.
Full Attention to Balkans.
From this viewpoint, the mutual
pledge of neutrality, if either Russia
or Japan should become "the OBJ
ject of military action" by other
powers, assumed major Importance
as possibly enabling the Soviet to
direct her full attention to Ger
many's menace to her Balkan in
terests without having to maintain
such a vigilant guard against a jap
anese move through her back door"
In the east.
The Soviet's latest expression OF
dissatisfaction with axis moves in
the Balkans came only Saturday in
a statement disapproving Hungary s
participation in the invasion OF
Yugoslavia. Previously, Russia had
informed Bulgaria she could not ap-
prove the admission of German
troops into Bulgaria, gave Turkey q
pledge of helpful neutrality in case
the Turks were attacked by Ger
many and announced new friend
ship and neutrality pact with Yugo-
slavia.
These Soviet expressions brought
favorable reaction here, UnderSec-
retary of State Sumner Welles de.
claring news of the Russo-Turkish
pact was a matter of satisfaction tt
this country and Secretary of State
Hull describing the treaty with
Yugoslavia as encouraging.
Secretary Hull's comment indi-
Gated a belief that Russia's signing
the pact with Yugoslavia meant
that the Soviet was showing aware
ness of the danger to her own in
terests of the Axis Balkan drive
He said the action made it clear that
an increasing number of nations
were becoming acutely aware of the
world nature of the Axis movement
Of conquest for the purpose of domi-
nation of peoples everywhere by
military force.
The Soviet's Ukranian wheat and
oil lands have long been considered
logical target for Nazi conquest
whenever Hitler deemed the time
ripe to strike, despite non-aggres-
sion treaty between Germany and
Russia.
There was no expectation here
however. that Russia would take any
active military steps against Ger
(See REACTION, Page A-4)
Berlin Court to Handle