Evening star., 1941-10-20
Self

that the United States must abandon
hope Of peace comes at time when
there seems to be considerable con-
f1iCt of opinion, even in official quar-
terS, as to the real significance of
recent international developments.
This conflict is most marked in the
case of the cabinet change in Toxic,
which has placed the reins of Japan's
government openly in the hands of
the militariStS Mr.. Willkie sees no
reason for American satisfaction in
this change. Berlin, Toxic and
Rome" he says, are irrevocably
linked by the dangerous dream of
world conquest But this view is
not universally indorSed.
In Washington there are SuggeS-
tionS, presumably emanating from
some quarters in our own State De-
partment, that reaction to the Jap
aneSe cabinet change has been un-
duly peSSimiStic. This relatively Op-
lLAlIAoblS 1lI4CuNC 10 DooCb Oll NCNOIol
considerations - that the men now
heading Japan'S government are not
as 'hotheaded" as some who might
have been chosen; that conversations
seeking an adjustment of differences
between Toxic and Washington still
are in being. and that more tangible
l1o
our negotiators can deal with the
men who really are running the show
in Japan instead of civilians merely
fronting" for them.
This line of reasoning, however,
Smacks strongly of wishful thinking.
1t does not follow that our relations
with Japan are better merely because
they are not as bad as might have
been expected following the cabinet
Shake-up.
1t is possible, of course, that an
armed clash with Japan may be held
in allegiance indefinitely. On that
score, much will depend on whether
Japan desires to provoke such clash,
for the American Government un-
doubtedly will do everything within
reason to avoid it. But there is a
vast difference between actual resort
to war and a fundamental improve
ment in American-JapaneSe rela-
tiOnS.
Such Improvement, it seems clear,
cannot come about unless one of the
two governments radically alters its
policy, and it is not to be supposed
that the United States will abandon
its avowed determination to assist
China and Russia, while resisting any
japanese effort to expand at the ex-
penSe of the Philippines, the East
Indies or Singapore and contiguous
British territory. But what about
Japan?
The new Premier, General Toto,
says: Internally we must consoli-
date a wartime structure, while eX-
ternally we must strengthen our ties
with treaty nations That means
Germany and Italy. The new foreign
minister, Shigenori Togo. asserts that
Japan'S course already has been set
and that he will do his best to follow
it. Japan has one potential army of
aggression on RuSSia's Siberian bor-
ders; another in Indo-China, and a
japanese spokesman says the navy is
itching for action"
In the light of these circumstances
it is difficult to follow the reasoning
Of those in washington who find any
ground for comfort in the changes
that have taken place at Toxic. A
more realistic view would seem to be
that Japan is impatiently marking
time, waiting for what seems to her
to be the safest moment to strike
And, as Mr.. Willkie says, the Axis
powers are winning now. If we are
to act effectively, we will have to act
soon. This is no time for self
delusion.