The daily monitor. (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1940-1942, 1941-04-22
PAcTs AND PURPOSES

FACTS AND PURPOSES
The Joponese-S oviet neutrality
pact has as many sides as there ore cop
toIs from which TO view it. On one hand
it is read os freeing Tokyo's hand for q
move into Southeastern Asia; on on
other as providing an Escape for japan
from its Triple-Axis tie-up, as in the
cose of Nozi-Russion conflict; one in
depreciation shows it as q sign Of Rus
sio's moving closer to the Axis; another
opproises it as q defensive move by
Moscow against the Nozis.
A pact that con be so many things
can also be nothing.
While Soviet officials we're signing
it, the Soviet press was engaged in
rebuke to on Axis satellite, Hungary,
for having trespossed in Yueoslovio.
While it was being negotiated, the
Soviet Government wos also neeotiot-
ing q pact Of friendship with the Axis
besieeed YueosIovs. Rodio reports in
dicoted that Moscow was losing no time
in emphasizing for Berlin thot the Jop-
onese-Soviet understanding frees Rus
sio's mind from anxiety about Far Eost-
ern offoirs, thus permitting Moscow to
pay undivided attention to develop
ments in the BoIkons.
Some persons in Washington pro-
fess disappointment over the turn" in
Soviet policy Such expressions come
from quarters where il hos been hoped
IS win the Soviets to the onti-Axis front.
They had assumed some progress in this
direction had been made. Now they oP-
porentIy assume, and perhaps as pre-
moturely, thot Russion policy has pro-
crossed in the opposite direction.
What the new poet should make
clear is thot in all the intervening
months since the Soviet-Noz "non-oe-
erosion" bombsheI exploded in Europe
in 1889, Soviet policy hos adhered to
one purpose.
All its commitments have been nom
committol.
Its consistency consists Of onbi-
guilty
Axis Spokesman insist, Of course,
thot the new poet folIs within the linn
itotions Of. and is conditioned by, the
agreement thot brought japan into the
Axis. But what this means is not clear;
not even, we suspect, in Berlin. For
Tokyo not long o9o interpreted the
main point Of the Triple-Axis q9ree-
nent-nomeIy, thot Jopon would enter
the war against any new belli9erent op-
ponent Of the Axis-os depending on
Jopon's own interest.
The most tangible aspect Of the
japanese Soviet poet is the exchange
Of recognition between the two Notions
for the spheres Of each in China. Thus
Russia becomes the first non-Axs
power to recognize Monchukuo, while
Japan recognizes Russio's claims in
Outer Mongolia. This move aims hard
blow at Chinese morale, but one which
the Soviets may secretly soften by con-
tinuine to supply China With war sup
plies to oppose Japan.
Some diplomatic observers reod the
poet os defect for Moscow. brought
about by German miIitory pressure
along Russian borders and by the men,
oce Of Germon attack in the Ukroine.
Russio does seem to have gained less
than Japan in concessions But against
this should be put the foct that this
poet follows the Soviet style OF poet
making to the lost letter. II is designed
to confuse the plans Of everyone touch
ed by il, while obscuring those Of the
Soviet Union. II encourages others to
fight.
II is, in foet, the sort Of agreement
that may we'll evoke in Washington
ond London O genuine thonkfuIness
that Brtsh-Americon friendship does
not depend on poets.
Musis should be offered In \ democ ATTIC WAY