Evening star., 1941-11-17
JapaneseEnvoys
.ConferWithHu||
And Roosevelt
No Conclusions Are
Reached in First
Peace ToIks
picture on Page Az
BY GARNETT ID. HORNER.

Toxic to assist efforts to reconcile
Japanese-American differences and
avert the danger Of war in the Pa
cific, conferred with President
Roosevelt and Secretary OF State
Hull for more than an hour today
without reaching any conclusions.
Secretary Hull described the
lengthy discussion as merely a gen.
eral talk, regarded as preliminary
to further conferences He plans to
meet Mr.. Kurusu again tomorrow
Mr.. Kurusu was accompanied BY
Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, the
japanese Ambassador. on his visit
to Mr.. Hull and the President.
Neither OF the japanese envoys
would comment on the discussion,
Mr. Nomura merely remarking that
many things were said"
Mr.. Hull first received Mr.. Kurusu
and Mr.. Nomura in his Office at the
State Department at 1890 am, and
then accompanied them TO the White
House for the conference with the
President that lasted from II am.
until 1910 pm.
AT a press conference soon after
leaving the White House, Mr.. Hull
said the discussion did not 70 far
enough for him to say whether there
was a pesslmlstic or optimistic out
look Tor a successful adjustment OF
the outstanding problems between
this country and Japan.
Issues Generally Touched.
He explained that the conference
today consisted mainly of the usual
greetings and exchange of cour-
tesles, with discussion Of critical
issues confined TO general remarks.
Asked whether it was correct to as
sumo that speeches of the Japanese
Premier end Foreign Minister to the
Diet in Toxic today signified an
uncompromising attitude by Japan
in the discussions here, the Secre-
tary said the talks had not vet
reached a stage that would enable
him to answer definitely
In response to similar question
just before he went into Mr.. Hull's
office. Admiral Nomura said inter.
pretation of the Diet speeches as
meaning Japan is unyielding lis just
your Interpretation.
Mr.. Kurusu either smilingly de-
cllned any comment or referred
specific questions to Mr.. Nomura,
explaining that he was here only
to assist the Ambassador.
He thus avoided questions about
whether he considered his talks a
satisfactory beginning for his mis-.
sion and whether he had made any
progress toward touchdown" On
his way here Mr.. Kurusu said he
hoped to break through the line
and make a touchdown" in his
efforts to promote Japanese Amer.
lean understanding.
There was no indication of when
the Japanese ENJOYS might again
see Mr.. Roosevelt. Mr.. Hull said
he had an appointment with Mr..
kurusu again tomorrow and would
be glad for Ambassador Nomura to
accompany the special envoy again.
L. s. Policy Remains Firm,
Against a background of appar-
emily uncompromising demands
voiced offlcially in Toxic and a firm
policy of non-appeasement here. Mr..
Kurusu arranged the meeting with
Mr.. Hull this morning to pursue
what he said he believes is fight.
ing chance" to reach an understand
ing that would avert war in the Pa.
cific.
The special emiSSarv. who few
here from TOXIC with what are pre-
sumed to be Japan's final terms for
adjustment of JAPANESE American
differences, completed preparations
for the State Department confer
ences in discussions with Admiral
Nomura and other members of the
Embassy staff here over the week
end.
Even before the conversations be-
gan, addresses to the newly-con-
vened Diet in Toxic by Premier Cen
eral TOTO and Foreign Minister
Togo let the world know the out
line of Japans demands.
officials Not Pessimistic.
Among Government officials, how
ever. there was little inclination to
predict failure for Kurusu's mission
on the basis of apparently uncom-
promising public statements in
Japan. 1t was suggested that if an
understanding finally is reached
between the United States and
Japan it will be based on actions,
not words; that the policy Of the
United States remains policy of
peace. and that this Government is
not likely to place obstacles in the
way of any solution which will safe
guard the prestige of Japan as a
great power as well as the right and
interests of the United States in
the Far East.
Chairman Connally of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee told
reporters he was very hopeful that
the Kurusu conversations would
produce some settlement.
The Texas Senator made clear
his belief that this country should
insist on decent treatment" for
the Chinese in any understanding
with Japan. He added, however,
that sit might be possible for us to
agree to the maintenance Of one or
two Japanese garrisons in China,
at least for the duration OF the
present European war"
Assisting" Nomura.
The Hull-Kurusu discussions
amount to q continuance of what
Mr.. Hull has described as explora-
tory conversations he has been
carrying on with Ambassador Nom
ura since last spring in an effort to
find a basis for negotiation of a
that would stabilize jan
anese American relations.
Little hope developed in these
talks for q definite conclusion and
Mr.. Kurusu, one Of Japan's ace
career displomats and q famed
was rushed here by air.
plane from Toxic to assist" Mr..
Nomura. He arrived Saturday.