Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
'Ever-Expundinq' Toto

Verbally at least, Japan'S new
soldier-Premier Minister is perform
ing as his record would indicate.
Speaking before a large gathering of
high officials at Osaka, General TOTO
ratified the forensic saber in an
address pitched in the same key as
that of the well-knoWn interview in
which he exhorted the Japanese peo-
pie to move as one cannon ball OF
fiery resolution"
Proclaiming at Osaka that Japan's
policies were "immutable and irrev-
ocable," General TOTO defined the
empires aim as "ever-expanding
progression" from which there could
be no retreat" He admitted that
difficulties stood in the way, but
stated that eff 1OO,OOO,OOO people
merge into one iron solidarity, Moth
ing can stop US" With absolute ma
tional unity combined with official
efficiency, "diplomacy will become an
easy affair Wars can be fought with
ease Nothing can surprise me. No
international pressure can disturb
me- The unity that makes a people
one and whole can solve all prob
lens"
There@ is the totalitarian gospel,
pure and undefiled. 1t contains the
same mystic fatalism so often voiced
in Berlin and Rome. Obviously, Gen.
eral TOTO is spiritually at one with
Hitler and MuSsolini. His attitude
indicates that under his leadership,
Japan will cooperate closely with
its Axis partners, even though it may
retain a measure of local initiative
in its Far Eastern sphere. All this is
a confirmation of the recent state
ment by Secretary of the Navy Frank
Knox regarding the danger of a
clash with Japan in the near future.
With Japan evidently committed to
an aggressive and pro-Axis policy,
the chief uncertainty would seem to
be when the TOTO government will
proceed from speech and prepara-
ton to action 1t is widely assumed
by foreign commentators that no
provocative act will be committed
before the Japanese Parliament as
sembles on November Is. summoned
especially to indorse the govern
ments foreign policy. But even this
temporary stay is not certain. The
Diet already has voted the govern
ment almost unlimited powers and
the nation today stands virtually
modified for instant action. In each
of its wars, Japan has struck without
warning, counting on the element of
surprise.
Nothing as yet indicates definitely
whether Toxic intends to move
northWard or southwark. TaSS, the
official Soviet news agency, reports
clash on the Siberian-M anchukuo
border, precipitated by the incursion
of a japanese frontier patrol onto
Russian soil But Toxic denies this
report; and even if it be true, there
| have been many such incidents of
recent years without serious conSe-
quences.
On the other hand, the Toxic press.
including official organs, are paying
marked attention to Thailand, and it
is rumored that the japanese AM
bassador to Bangkok has presented
| fresh demands on the Thai Premier.
| It should be remembered that the
rainy season in Southeastern Asia
now is over and that campaigning
has become more feasible than it
has been for some months.
Finally, there have been indica-
tions that the TOTO government
meditates renewed activity against
Free China, especially a reported
troop concentration for a stroke from
Northern Indo-China against the
Burma road A campaign in China
would not precipitate crisis with
either Russia or the Western powers.
Thus the TOTO government, like its
predecessors, wells its intentions be-
hind a Smokescreen of military and
diplomatic activity. Yet TOTO was
put in power by the Army and other
elements pledged to policy of &C
ton. And the Prime Minister'S bel
licose utterances imply that action
will not be long delayed.
president Toughens His Attitude
Toward Labor Problem" ran a recent