Evening star., 1941-11-07

American point David Lawrence.
of view and reasoning process. He
can perform a constructive service
for his country because up to now
there have been serious barriers to
an understanding.
The most important barrier is that
Japan does not fully understand
Americas attitude toward a treaty
and pledge once given There is
a school of thought in Japan which
considers treaties and pledged words
to be secondary to realistic consid-
erations. What is difficult for the
japanese military party to under
stand. for example. is that there
Is not the slightest objection to
japanese commercial expansion but
that there is every objection to vio-
lation of treaties and usurpation
of territory or sovereignty by force.
Demands" Unfortunate.
The japanese Times and Adver-
tiser, which now reflects the view
point of the Japanese Foreign Of
fee, did not aid Japans cause in
America by the publication of its
series of demands" To japanese.
doubtless. some of these demands
appear reasonable and some of them
would appear so to an American,
too, but when Japan issues de-
mands stating what it wants and
does not accompany them with
statement of what Japan is willing
to do, the spirit of fair play and
reciprocity is so conspicuously ab-
sent that the effect on American
public opinion is distinctly mega
tive
What Japan needs to understand
Is that the American people are
basically friendly to the japanese
and are sympathetic with the lat
ter's desire for commercial eXpan-
sion but at the moment the main
question which interests the United
States is whether Toxic is an ally
Of Nazi Germany.
Unhappily, but nevertheless truth
fully. the American Government
must view any nation that has an
agreement of the nature of the
tri-partite agreement as hardly as
anxious to be friendly with the
United States as with Nazi Germany.
The policy of the United States in
giving direct aid to China did not
arise until after Toxic decided to
cast her lot on Hitler's side.
Pact Stands in Way.
To undo that situation and TO
achieve peace in the Far East, the
first step is a willingness on the
part of Japan to renounce her tri-
partite pact. This can be done be-
cause the treaty is not on def
mite long-term basis but is founded
on the expediency of the war
emergency. The treaty, moreover,
violates the famous Nine Power
Pact and is in itself an impairment
of relations between the United
States and Japan.
The Japanese-American situation
Is tense but 1t is by no means un-
solvable The coming of Mr.. Kurusu
will be welcome help to Admiral
Nomura, Japanese Ambassador here,
who has struggled sincerely to
transmit TO his government at Toxic
the American viewpoint. There is
reason TO believe that what Toxic
has lacked Is an Interpretation of
American opinion. Washington, for
instance, has not been persuaded
that the rule of force should sup
plant the rule Of reason In Far
Eastern matters.
There are several bases for an
understanding if both sides are
sincerely willing. Until recently
there was no naval group in
America advising that America
would be better off to challenge
Japan now instead Of later. But
the appearance of such group has
come because of the repeated
evidences of japanese military
operations.
Two Peace Factions.
AS explained here, there are two
japanese peace factions-one which
is genuinely anxious for peace and
one which would like to see peace
parleys now merely because it will
afford Japan an opportunity to pick
a later time than the present for
military or naval operations favor
able to Nippon. A third group-the
military nthusiasts-doeSn't much
care where present policy will lead
so long as it is firm and aggressive
and carries on the war of aggres-
sion.
Secretary Hull has labored long
and patiently these last few months
to keep the door open for an under
standing between Japan and the
United States. So have Ambassador
Grew at TOXIC and Admiral Nomura
here in Washington. The answer
to the unsettled condition of
japanese American relations is to
be found in Toxic, where some kind
of dual policy seems to prevail that
seeks to placate Hitler and the Nazis
on one day while threatening the
United States, and endeavors on
another day to patch up differences
with America and make gestures
toward peaceful relations.
Some day the Japanese will dis
cover that the American mind likes
frankness and directness and that
recognition of some of the more
important japanese commercial
aims would be nearer attainment
If the Japanese were to manifest a
genuine desire to toss the Hitler
alliance overheard.