Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-03-11

YoSuKe MatSuoKa, Japan'S Strenu-
Gus Minister of Foreign Affairs, is
going to visit his axis partners. His
itinerary will take him first to Berlin
and then to Rome Since he goes
via Russia, it is probable that he will
ston off at Moscow for conferences
with Soviet statesmen, as was done
recently by General Oshima when he
crossed Russia to take Up his post as
Ambassador to the Reich.
Mr.. Matsuoka's trip does not come
as surprise. For weeks it had been
forecast in semi-official utterances
from Berlin, and the groundwork has
been, and is being, we'll laid. Japa-
nese Army and Navy commissions
have been in Germany'for some time.
japanese economic experts have long
been comforting with their German
colleagues. Ambassador Oshima is
close to Matsuoka. Lastly, General
OFT, the German Ambassador to ia
pan, has left Toxic for Berlin to pre-
pare the ground for the scheduled
visit of the japanese Foreign Min
lister. All these moves mean some
thing important. Indeed, the visit
itself is significant, because the di-
rector of Japan's foreign policy would
not thus absent himself for a lengthy
stay halfway around the world with
out some exceedingly good reason.
AS was to be expected, the precise
objects of this unprecedented visit
are not revealed. The official an
nouncement states briefly that it is
for personal deliberations on all
questions arising from collaboration
as set forth in the three-power pact
between Germany, Italy and Japan"
Yet it is not difficult to guess some
of the chief topics that will be dis
cussed. High on the list must GER
tainly stand axis policy toward
Britain, America and Russia.
Germany avows its intention of
making supreme effort to crush
Britain this spring. Is Japan will
ing to contribute its maximum help
by making war on Britain at the
crucial hour? That is undoubtedly
what Germany would like Japan to
do. But, for Japan to strike before
Britain was practically beaten by
Germany would mean a supreme
gamble, with national ruin as the
penalty for failure. In such a war,
what would America do? Also, what
might Russia do?
Those are questions which Mr..
Matsuoka will doubtless put to Hitler
and Won Ribbentrop. The German
statesmen can scarcely give him re-
assuring answers concerning Amer
lea. About Russia, the possibilities
are slightly better. Japan has been
doing her best to make an agreement
with Moscow which would free her
hands for decisive moves to the
southwark, but Russia has cannily
stalled or has set price which ia
pan deems prohibitive. 1t is con-
ceivable that German pressure might
make Moscow more accommodating.
Yet, even though Moscow were con-
strained to sign hands-off agree
ment with Japan, how much reliance
could be placed upon it if things
should go badly? 1t is basic weak
ness of all these predatory imperial
isms in their dealings with one an
other that their ethics are those OF
the wolf pack. None of them really
trusts the other; all have ambitions
which tend to bring them ultimately
into conflict. Mr. Matsuoka's confer
ences will therefore be a matching
of wits devoid of scruples. No matter
what the promises, there will always
be mental reservations.