Evening star., 1941-07-25

on the subject as3 -
of possible - s.
embargo of Oil Ns*~@A
and other prod David Lawrence.
ucts, coming as they did on the same
DAY that Acting Secretary of State
Sumner WelleS denounced the Japa-
nese movement in Indo-Chlna as
aggression, may mean that at last
there is to be a definite application
of an economic boycott to all Japa-
nese commercial transactions with
the United States
The American Government has
patiently assumed that Japan would
not disturb the existing equilibrium
In the Far East and has, therefore,
according to MI Roosevelt, per-
mitted American oil companies with
oil supplies in the Far East to con-
tinue to supply Japan. This para
Cox has long been unexplained Of
fcialIv but it has been understood
that the United States hoped thus
to avert a break with Japan and
especially to prevent movement OF
japanese forces into the Neither
lands Indies.
But Japan, like Italy, is no longer
q free agent, Having cast her lot
with the NaziS, having given over
control of her press and communi-
cations to the Nazis, the Toxic gov
eminent must toe the mark when
Herr Hitler cracks the whip. The
extent of Nazi inf1ltratiOn in Japan
Is we'll known here. In fact for sew
eral months the State Department
has been reluctant to continue what
has been called an "appeasement"
policy because Of a belief that the
Nazis would sooner or later pull the
strings and force the weak govern
n1ent at Toxic to take aggressive
steps. The recent change in the
cabinet at Toxic is generally be-
lieved to have been dictated by
Berlin.
Between Two Desires
But Japan is torn between two
desires. Her commercial and eco
nomic future if not her political
strength lies really in a mainte-
nance of peaceful relations with the
United States. Her business men
and financiers know this, but the
government is dominated by mill
tarv clique who have an unbounded
admiration for the Nazi military
machine and blind confidence that
1t will soon dominate the world.
There are many fine japanese
statesmen and leaders who have
visited the United States in recent
years and who have worked hard
for Japanese-A American peace. There
ere many splendid Americans who
have worked with these japanese to
keep the peace But when the mill
tary in Toxic brush aside all that
has been done and start on the road
to aggression, the liberal elements
find themselves helpless. There never
was a time when the ChineSeJap-
nnese situation could not have been
settled with the conciliatory aid of
the United States if the militarists
in Toxic had not succumbed to the
gospel of conquest, and selfish ex-
plotation. The United States has
Fa, i,,n af tny
or for single special privilege in the
Far East. Germanys record is quite
the contrary. Even the British have
been far more helpful to japanese
development in the last 40 years
than have the Germans. The United
States in fact has been the best
friend Japan has really had. Now
the Japanese people are to be
plunged into period Of serious fric
tion the end Of which nobody can
foresee. 1t may even lead to active
war and a showdown of military
might in the Pacific. But such a
war will not mean America fighting
alone. There will be a British Army
and Navy and reinforced Chinese
Army in it, too, and the war would
not be over till militariSm in Japan
as a menace to peace in the Far
East is crushed as completely as it
will be in time in Central Europe.
Playing With Fire.
rr-,.. raoo,e-e oro oIavjY with fire
If they think America does not mean
To apply economic boyCotts and use
her naval forces if necessary to pro-
tect the Philippines. SO long as the
American Flag flies in the Philip
pines. the United States will not sit
idlv bv and see naval concentrations
and air bases occupied within easy
striking distance of the American
forces in Manila. The crisis in the
Far East is a wholly unnecessary
one. If there are any japanese
statesmen who are allowing the MILL
tarv and naval clique to make the
recent moves only as gestures Of help
10 Hitler, who is pressing for active
war by Japan against Britain and
America, there may be time 10 avert
q break. If these elements, how
ever have lost their influence COM
pletely, then it is only question OF
o few months before Japan will have
involved herself not only in wal
with Britain and America but in a
dilemma in world affairs from which
she will not be able to recover for
decades to come. japanese business
commits economic suicide by per-
mitting the war elements to get the
upper hand. America will lose some
trade, too, but it is still insignificant
rarnnnrtinnatelV 70 what .Ianan would