Evening star., 1941-12-10
japan Seen
Relying on
Nuzis' Help
Berlin Believed
Committed to
War on u. S.
By PERTINAX.

Inc brutal DlOWS tne japanese
Navy and air force struck last Sum
day at Pearl Harbor and other Pa
cif1c spots strategically important to
the United States and Great Brit
ain are regarded as the initial move
in the enforcement of a plan of
campaign jointly worked out by the
high commands in Toxic and Ber-
lin.
One Of the Japanese representa-
tives at German-Jap staff talks is
known to have observed, last month,
that his government had reserved
the right to interpret all commit
ments under the Axis pact Of Sep
tember %, 1910, according to circum-
stances and to the view it took of
national interest. Therefore, Pre-
mier Hideki TOTO and the other ad-
visers of the Emperor must have Sc
cured guarantees of immediate sup
port from Berlin. 1t remains to be
seen when and how that support
will come forward.
On Monday a semiofficial state
ment was issued in Berlin to the
effect that Moscow was not to be
captured this year and that the in
tense cold hindered active opera
tions in Central Russia. Competent
quarters refuse to take such words
fora
On the contrary, they express a
strong belief that the German COM
mand is bound to intensity the drive
on the Russian front to compel ths
Soviet Union to withdraw more
troops from the Far East and thus
shield Japan from air raids which
might start from the Siberian
springboard.
Oil Supplies Necessary.
Moreover, in anticipation Of
long war-and the involvement Of
the United States not only makes a
long war more probable than ever
but also forebodes the spreading Of
mechanical warfare upon wider and
wider areas.
The Nazi empire must get Russian
oil from the Baku fields before
spring while Japan looks to the
Dutch East Indies for its fuel sup
ply.
1t is believed that Toxic received
assurances that the Atlantic battle
would be waged more energetically
than in the past few months and
the onslaught on the British posi-
tions in the Mediterranean would be
resumed with a new vigor to prevent
the strategists in London and WASH
ington from diverting additional
forces to Singapore and to the Pa
cific.
But is it possible for Germany TO
redeem her word? Oddly enough,
at the very moment the Japanese
military power is being set In mo-
ton, the Germans seem to be on
the verge of losing in Libya. Ths
developments there are a bad omen
for French North Africa.
French Bases Needed.
The time draws near when the
Wehrmacht will need the French
bases. Even the occupation OF re-
mote Dakar may shortly be called
for by the German military authori-
ties since 1t is far superior TO the
Canary Islands as submarine nest.
Meanwhile. on December /, Marshal
Petain and Admiral Darlan met
Goering at st. Florentin and the
arrangements arrived at never were
divulged to the world.
The only alternative on which
Germany can fall back is an expe-
dition across Turkey, but in that
country resistance will have to be
reckoned with for which there Is no
match in the French Empire.
One point must be kept in mind.
Japan did not intend to fight until
Moscow had fallen into German
hands, until the Soviet regime had
crumbled and England was brought
to her knees. For no other reason
Toxic waited so long. So great has
been the reversal of policy that to-
day the japanese lead the assault.
Japan would not have deliberately
incurred risks which. not many days
before. intimidated her, If promises
Of prompt and efficient assistance
had not been extended to her.
released By the North American News
paper Alliance.