The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-12

A4lAlAtAlAof NAiA~
ing the necessity
Japan for any further
guessing. came as something pretty
closely resembling relief.
Navy folk. it's true, are a triAe
mortified at having been taken by
surprise. with the Mikados bomb
ers actually flying over their objec-
tiyes instead Of being spotted as
they approached. They promise,
however that the joke viii speedily
be on the Japs.
There's a deal Of speculation as
70 whether or not Ambassador No
mura and his co-envoy. Saburo
Kurusu. were Informed in advance,
from Toxic. that their home gov
eminent intended to strike just
when it did It's taken for granted
that they knew what it was plan
ming, but there's quite a general
impression that they weren't look
ing for the overt act quite so soon
Their diplomatic staff certainly
wasn't packed up and ready to
scoot for Nippon until several
hours after the Hololulu raid
There are fairly competent OBJ
servers who believe that Nomura
ana Kurusu. aware that It would be
suicidal for their country TO tackle
Uncle Sam, really tried 70 make
terms that he'd accept. but that
Toxic wouldn't let EN- agree to the
minimum that he insisted on.
Correspondents Caught Short
Washington Correspondents Mat
suo Kato and c. H kaWakami Of
Domei, Japan's biggest news
agency. assuredly were caught
completely off base. Both were
mixing nonchalantly with Ameri-
can neWspapermen on the forenoon
Of the very day when the bombing,
a bit later. was announced. The
casualness of their manner was en-
t.rely too realistic TO have been
faxed. Moreover. they made not thu
least attempt to conceal their per
turbation when the news wa
broadcast.
As anyone who visits Japa
quickly learns, it's perfectly possi
bic for the islanders military elias
10 plan for and start war not only
without consulting the civilian gov
ernmentar groups, but even against
their wishes. What corresponds to
our war and navy departments IS
absolutely Independent Of the exec
utive, legislative, judicial and diplo-
matte set-ups and, if interfered
with by any Of them. rather makes
a practice Of killing the leading re-
calcitrants. ard isn't criticized for
it, either.
Nor is there any use in warning
the militar.sts that they're COM
hitting suicide. for suicide. on
small provocation. is part Of their
class creed; everybodys heard Of
har!-kari.
Japan Is recognized as possess
ing a hrst-rate navy. but not fully
the equal Of Americas strength in
the Pacific, rot to mention the
other ocean. Besides. the Japs
haven the resources to keep their
feet effective, as its put 0ut Of
business. ship by ship. and Uncle
Sam can keep his in operation, even
regardless Of a loss now and then
and keep Increasing it, TOO.
Presumably the policy Of the
United States will be 70 blockade
Nippon. The islands internal pro-
duction Is wholly insufficient to feed
its population, lacking imports and,
bottled. Up, II cant but starve to
death shortly.
Doubtless there1l be cir raids
also and. as nearly all its cities are
built Of bamboo and paper, they'll
bum Ike kindiing wood and paste
board
The campaign. its reckoned, will
be over in a matter Of three 70 six
months. 50 far as Japan is con-
cerned, but not taking into account
/ the possibility Of hostilities IN
other directions.
And that. according TO Washing
ton predictions, will be the end Of
independent Nippon. Maybe China
viii get It, Maybe Russia will get
some.
Mikado Helpless
Nobody is surprised that Presi'
dent Roosevelts personal appeal &c
Mikado Hirohlto failed 10 yield re-
suits. The MiEa1o is supposed 70 BIZ
a divinity, but he hasn't a word C
say relative TO his country's mum
dare policies, least Of all relative
10 those Of tie Samurai. the mill
tary bunch. I'm not so sure thu
Samurai would assassInate 2 him