Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-01-27
Ry A. T. STEELE,

TOXIC by Clipper .-"Revolu-
ton is the only word that salts
factorily describes what is happen
ing in Japan today. 1t is blood
less revolution so far. But the men
behind it-With the japanese Amy
at the core-are a grimly deter
mined lot. Many of them are fanat-
ical and dangerous. They will not
hesitate to shed blood, if necessary,
to put their program across.
In a sense the internal struggle
here is a symptom of Japan's des-
peration. 1t grew out of the realiza
ton that unless the Japanese ma
ton did something radical and new
to meet the crisis brought on by
the China war. the pressure from
America and the terrific demands
of the now or never program of
Asiatic dominate then all might
be lost.
The politico- social upheaval that
is shaking Japan is just as drastic
in its purposes and just as dislocat-
ing in its effects as the rise of
HitleriSm in Germany and FaSClSm
in Italy. The chief difference oand
perhaps the biggest weakness, in
the Japenese revolution is that its
driving force comes not from the
people but from a few men at the
top. A handful of International
lists, ChauvlnistS. Nazlfied intellec-
tuals and sincere Missionaries are at
tempting, with the army'S support,
to make over completely the jap
anese nation into a Streamllned,
totalitarian state.
TOtalitarianism Gaining.
Japan has been drifting toward
totalitarianism for several years.
But it was not until Germany had
scored her lightning conquest of
France that the reform elements in
Japan were able to sweep into real
power on a wave of pro-Nazi Senti-
ment Month by month. since then,
the extremists have strengthened
their position in the saddle of gov
eminent Today they hold the bal
ance of power in Japanese politics,
though their battle is not yet Won
They will not be satisfied until they
have put their experiments to full
test and carried the country to glory
or ruin.
And what do the japanese re-
formists want? Cut away the high
sounding theology that makes it pal
atable to Japan's propaganda doped
masses and the creed of the ruling
elements in present-day Japan
energies as something like this:
1--WE are surrounded by enemies
on all sides. Our position is ad-
mittedly perilous Yet, regardless
OF what mistakes we have made, we
are in so deep that we cannot with
draw. To do so now would be to
toss overheard all the sacrifices we
have made in men and treasure
during the last three and one-half
years and would reduce us to the
status Of second-class power.
Moreover a chance like the present
one may never come again. We
must 60 ahead and gamble every
thing on finishing the job we have
started.
German Victory Is Big Hope.
"Our one big hope is a German
victory in Europe. Germany has
four major aims which are identical
with ours:
Il. To destroy the British Empire.
80. To keep the United States
neutral
80 To hold off Soviet Russia until
the time is ripe to turn on her and
destroy her.
a. To divide the world into
spheres of political and economic
influence in which Japan's portion
will be all of East Asia
"A German success is almost eS-
sential to the accomplishment Of
our program. Therefore. it is sound
diplomacy to link our destiny with
Germany's.
Meanwhile, we must strengthen
ourselves on the home front with
all possible speed to be able to take
full advantage of Germany's sue
cess, II it comes, or to meet any
possible challenge from other sides.
Here again Germany has pointed
the way. Her military achievements
In Europe have given us an impress
sive object lesson in the advantages
of about totalitarianism. We must
accomplish the same internal one
ness, but in our own way. We must
accomplish it quickly-quickly-
we are to circumvent American eco
nomic pressure and be able to grab
each golden opportunity for expan-
sion as it comes our way.
Aims Firmly Rooted.
Here, then, are our detectives:
To strengthen ourselves for any
emergency by making of Japan a
fully totalitarian state on uniquely
japanese pattern; to Illustrate
American economic pressure by at
tanning a complete -Sufficiency
in all essential materials; to win
eCOIiOIilIC dilO pOAllIdl llCStlilOllN
over all countries and colonies in
East Asia and to weld them into a
co-ordinated and closely knit bloc
under japanese direction-for only
by so doing can Japan attain the
self-sufficiency she desires, fulfill her
destiny as the leader of all Asiatics
and become an interchangeable
world power"
These are pretty big ideas for a
small people. But they are firmly
rooted in the minds of the militar-
lists and their colleagues who are
running Japan today. The japanese
know full well that there is no Ger
tainty they will attain these OBJ
jectives. But that does not stop
them. To retreat, they think, means
disaster. To stand STILL they fear.
means the same thing. So they
founder on to an uncertain end.
tCopyrisht, 1941, the Chicago Daily News
9 Freight Cars in River