The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-10-18


as the new premier-designate OF
Japan indicates that the Nippon
empire is placing itself in a post
ton to take quick advantage OF any
opportunities which may present
themselves in Soviet Russia. There
Is some satisfaction. however, in the
knowledge that Gen. TOTO, although
a strong imperalist. is somewhat
more moderate IN his views than
most OF the japanese military lead
ers. His selection is believed to rep
resent a compromise response TO
the pressing demands OF the mill
tary extremists for an action
government in place Of the wait
snd-see" policy Of prince Fumimaro
Konoye.
Il Is not like. TOTO will
Immediately p.--...~-e Japan's
entry into the world conflict. but
be will no doubt strengthen Tokyo's
ties with The Axis alliance and pre-
pare for instant action IN the Soviet
maritime provinces II the Red arm
les on the western Russian front
should collapse.
Gen. Toto is not likely to strive
a. strongly as Prince Konoye did
Tor an understanding with the
United States although the explora-
Worry peace talks between the two
countries may be permitted 10 90
on in order to leave q way out for
the Nippon empire II It's plans or
closer collaboration with the Axis
should go sstrsy.
There Is growing concern in Off
cial quarters in Washington that
Japan is planning to strike at Vlad-
ivostok and the Soviets maritime
provinces II Russian resistance
weakens.
II Moscow falls and Stain Is
forced TO move before the Ural
Mountains, a possibility is seen
that Japan will move into the Soviet
maritime provinces under the same
excuse that Russia moved into
Poland during the German invasion
OF that country.
Tokyo might take the position
that Russia is disintegrating and
japanese occupation OF the mari
time provinces is necessary to pre-
serve law and order and protect
the Nippon Empires national Sc
curity.
While London and Washington
hold out hopes that TOTO will ind
room for moderate, civilian ele-
ments in the new government that
will chart the destinities OF Nippon,
there are chapters in his record
that emphasize his liking for the
army and army men.
London recalls with something
OF a pang that TOTO was named
some years ago as one OF the auth
ors OF the famed Tanaka memorial.
The authenticity OF this document
has been denied by the japanese
government. But Chinese authori.
any case, it is alleged to have been
presented to the emperor OF Japan
on July %, 1927, by the then
Premier Baron Giichi Tanaka and
outlined what was called the posi-
tive policy" in Manchuria.
The memorial runs to many
thousands OF words, OF which these
are the most important. Japan
cannot remove the difficulties in
eastern Asia unless she adopts
a policy OF blood and iron. But
in carrying out this policy we have
TO face the United States. which
has been turned against US by
Chinas policy Of fighting poison
with poison.
In the future IL We want TO con-
troll China. We must first crush the
United States just as In the past
we had to fight In the Russo-Japa-
nese war. But in order to conquer
China we must first conquer Man
churia and Mongolia.
In order to conquer the world.
we must first conquer China. II
we succeed in conquering China
the rest OF the Asiatic countries
and the South Sea countries will
fear us and surrender 10 US. Then
the world will realize that eastern
Asia is ours and will not dare 10
violate our rights"
Whether the Tanaka document
be true or false, Japan has long
stood for her right to dominate
east Asia.
General TOTO is said TO have been
one Of the proponents OF this poll
cy. At 81, he has had a dis.
tinguished political as well as mill
tary career. He was war minister
under former Premier Prince Fumi.
marc Konoye.
To his intimates and supporters
he is known by the japanese
equivalent Of "razor-edge"-a tri.
butte to his keen and perceptive
mind"
Toto has often been called pro.
German and an open admirer OF the
Reich's war methods. He was FOR
long time japanese military at.
tache in Berlin.
In q widely publicized speech N
1888. TOTO advocated the neces-
sity OF Japan fighting China and
Russia on two fronts. He is an
. a. "a -