Evening star., 1941-08-11
Toxic Hints Break With u. S.;
New Economic Steps Taken;
America Ready, Envoy Warns
General Mobilization
Act Is Invoked by
japanese Officials
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
TOXIC, Aug. 1.-THE govern
ment put Japan on a full eco
nomic war footing today under
the general mobilization act, anc
authoritative quarters declared
that only two steps remained
before a possible actual break
with the United States.
But strangely, amid the atmos-
phere of deteriorating japanese
American relations, came the coun-
sci of a japanese diplomat, Kaname
Wakasugi, homecoming Minister at
the Washington Embassy, that 1.-The
United States is prepared and de-
termined to meet the worst even
Qualities"
The two steps that would prelude
a complete American break with
japan were specified by the news
paper Chugai, which speaks for big
business. as a complete embargo
and severance of consular relations
The consular breach would be a
likely prelude to an end OF dlplo-
matte relations.
For Chugai this was new, pessl-
rnistic turn in its editorial comment
For japanese diplomacy, Wakasugl S
blunt delineation of Japanese-Amer-
lean relations was one OF the sharp
est outlines by a japanese official
In recent months.
Says United States Is Ready.
He pictured both the nations as
unwilling to start anything" but
declared the United States attitude
was changed and that Washington
was ready with retallatory step
for every action Japan could take.
In deciding today to invoke full
provisions of the general moblllza- =
ton act, the Konoye government
took full regulatory charge OF Jap
snese economy. The measure espe-
cially covers control of the stock
exchange and marine transportation
The mobilization act, which
went into effect in May, 1888,
gave the government unlimited
power to draft Japans manpower
and economic resources in a war
emergency.
eleven of the laws 80 articles
and three of its 20 provisions
STIMULATING punishments were in
voked at the outset and others
have been invoked from time to
timeD
Thailand Question Delicate"
The newspaper Nichi Nichi talked
by telephone to Los Angeles with
Wakasugi. who is on his way home,
and said his trip related to Tnalland'
1t quoted the Minister as refer
ring to the Thailand question as
"this delicate issue"
The following is partial text OF
the newspapers transcript OF the
trans-Paciflc interview:
"Isolationist sentiment is grad
ually dropping out in the United
States and speech, press, industry
and everything are directed toward
preparedness.
ANY person who saw the United
States last year cannot possibly
imagine the actual America OF to-
day since everything is definitely
changed.
81 don't think Japan will start on
ANYTHING, but it seems that the
United States will take action.
Depends on Situation.
Public opinion is led in such a
direction. Every issue is handled
accordingly.
The United States may be de-
sirolls of maintaining friendly rela-
tions with Japan as long as possible
but all depends on the situation.
"I think the United States is pre-
pared and determined to meet the
worst eventualities.
"I do not think the United States
will start anything on Japan SO the
attitude depends solely on Japan.
cannot touch on the international
situation. vet the United States is
very suspicious of Japan II Japan
does anything in the Far East with
Germany that the United states
is trying to check.
The Anglo American powers ac-
tuallv are allied. They are closely
watching international develop
mentS.
What are the Anglo American
powess going to do regarding the
Thailand question? I am going back
to Japan on this delicate issue.
Calm Management Urged.
d. Japanese American relations are
CLOSELY related to the international
sitaution and should not be lrrl-
tated uselessly There should be
calm management of the situation
rather than excitement in the view
of the traditional relations OF these
two powers ~
Domei, the news agency, quoteo
(See FAR EAST. Page Aid