Evening star., 1941-11-10
Optimism on Talks
With Japan Voiced by
Thomas and Capper
Norris Says Kurusu's
Opinions Should Not
Influence u. S.
By the Associated Press.

Capper. Republican. OF Kansas
voiced the opinion today that diff
ferences between this country and
Japan could be adjusted in the
forthcoming conversations between
State Department officials and Sa-
buro Kurusu, the special japanese
envoy.
The talks are scheduled to begin
next week and Kurusu already has
been reported pessimistic about their
chances for success. The special
envoy is en- route here by Pacific
Clipper. bringing with him Toxic S
formula for removal of the existing
sources of friction between the two
nations. This formula. the Japan
ese press has been limiting, may be
something in the nature of an ulti-
matum.
Neither Senator Thomas-who is
regarded as a Senate authority on
Japanese American relations-nor
Senator Capper had any idea that
this Government would give diplo-
matte ground to Kurusu. They
agreed in separate interviews. how
ever, that Japan was in no position
to undertake war against the United
States over differences that could
be settled amicably.
Norris Cites Axis Ties.
On the other hand, Senator Nor
ris. independent, of Nebraska. de-
clared that 1t should not matter to
this country what KuruSu had TO say
about Pacific problems.
Japan has an agreement with
Germany, and Germany is urging
Japan on against us" Senator Nor
ris told reporters II have thought
for a long time that our first real
trouble may come in the Pacific
that we might have to fight first
against Japan. We certainly can
not let Japan tell us what to do"
Senator Smith. Democrat, OF
South Carolina, opponent of admin
istration foreign policy told report
ers that enactment of the neutrality
revision legislation permitting Amer
ican ships to carry arms and sail to
belligerent ports might cause the
Navy to use its most powerful units
in the battle of the Atlantic
In such event he added; Il think
there is no doubt that We would
become involved with Japan If We
are killing people in the Atlantic
Japan knows we are at war. and that
will encourage them to cause us
trouble"
Thomas Optimistic.
Senator Thomas said that he did
not believe that there are any dif-
ferences with Japan that cannot be
ironed out"
What can they do against us7'
he asked. They are faced not only
with the United States. but Canada,
all of South America. Great Britain,
Australia, New Zealand and Hol-
land"
Even though this country should
become fully involved IN an Atlantic
naval war. Senator Thomas declared.
there is little chance that hostilities
will develop with Japan. He said he
did not expect the Kurusu conversa-
tions TO result in any formal agree
ment. but added that the Pacific
situation probably would remain
status quo for long time to come
Saying he believed that our
differences with Japan will be
smoothed over" Senator Capper
added that Japan would not be
sending a special envoy to this
country unless she hoped to make
some adjustment. ~
Il think our main trouble will
come to the east of us instead of
to the west Of us" the Kansan said.
Balance Against Japan Seen.
Meanwhile the Foreign Policy As
sociation reported present indica-
tons are that the balance OF
power in Southeast Asia has
shifted against Japan" as a result
of concentration of newer types OF
British and American warplanes in
Malaga, the East Indies and the
Philippines.
Practical necessities of the situa-
ton have brought large measure
of coordination by the United
States. Great Britain and the
Netherlands in defense measures
against a possible japanese thrust
southwark in this area, the as
sociation said in a survey of the
strategic position of the Neither
lands Indies.
1t appears, the report added. that
the japanese occupation of Indo-
China marked the limit of piece
meal advances in Japan's expan-
sion drive that could be made with
out risking general conflict witt
British, Dutch and American forces
Conceding that Japan probably
would be able to concentrate a SUI
perior naval force at any given point
/ in the Southeast Asia region ''un-
less the American Fleet entered Fal
Eastern waters" the report sale
effective support of landing opera
tions would require air superiority
a swell and 1T is not all certain
that Japan's air arm would
be strong enough to match the
forces it would meet
Advantage of Initiative.
Discussing japanese advantages
the associations report said:
Careful estimates indicate that
despite the existing trade embar-
goes. Japan possesses stocks of wal
materials adequate to maintain s
/ southern blitzkrieg for as long a.
six months. TOXIC would also hole
the advantage of the initiative, since
it could choose the time and place
of attack.
"A drive might be launched from
Japans inundated islands far to tn,
east. for example, along the route
of the new japanese commercial
airline from the Palau islands t.
Dill. capital of the Portuguese hal
of the Island of Timor"
But, the survey added, "formid
able obstacles would confron
Japan in any such operation Amoni
other factors, Japan would have t,
reckon with large-scale develop
ments in the rear from the British
base at Hong Kong and the Ameri