Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-29
Toio's Warning

Iojos Warning
Among his military associates,
General Hideki TOTO has long been
known as The Razor" This nick
name was earned by the ruthless
incisiveness Of his mind as we'll as of
his actions. General TOTO prides
himself on being a realist, and there
certainly was grim realism in the
address he delivered Sunday be-
fore the japanese Diet in his capac-
ity as War Minister as we'll as
Premier.
In curt, harsh sentences, TOTO told
the assembled deputies that "the
real war is starting from now"
Warning his listeners that the United
Nations were preparing to deliver
counterblows of great Importance"
the general painted frank picture
Of the difficulties facing Japan's
armed forces, from the "unimag-
Unable privations" endured by the
garrisons in the Western Aleutians
to those unhealthy regions" the
Solomon Islands and New Guinea.
The task still ahead in China after
more than five years Of war was re-
vealed by Tojo's estimate that the
Chinese Army numbered 100000,
with which some $50 battles, large
and small had been fought, while the
combined American and Chinese air
force, estimated at 800 planes, had
carried out 80 attacks on Japanese
installations in China during the
past six months. The growing threat
from India was shown by Tojo's
statement that the Allies had 1,0O0,-
900 troops and 800 airplanes there,
with the numbers continually in
creasing"
Another potential trouble spot was
touched upon by Tojos assurance"
that "the defense of our frontier in
the north of Manchukuo has been
further strengthened, in view of the
continually changing world situa-
ton, so that the undisturbed prog
reSS Of the Eastern ASiatic war is
guaranteed" This is an indirect
way Of saying that current Russian
victories in Europe bring home to
japanese minds the ever-present
threat from Siberia and its great
naval-air base at Vladivostok. It is
Ivy hnl az h
like 100000 japanese troops, with
proportionate mechanical equip
ment and air strength have been
regularly immobilized along the ST.
berian border. If that estimate be
correct, TOTO intimates that still
larger proportion of Japan's striking
power is being earmarked for that
safeguarding service And this at
moment when the Toxic high COM
mand is engaged day and night
providing against air raids and pre-
pairing for future war Developments
In this sombre report to the Diet,
TOTO did not repeat the hint dropped
by him in recent previous utter
ance that a new offensive is being
prepared at some undisclosed point.
His latest address implies that Japan
is, at least temporarily, on the de-
fensive, and hence that the initiative
has passed to its enemies.
However, 1t is possible that TOTO
deliberately painted dark picture
for psychological reasons. The jap
anese are so fanaticized that they
can probably stand grimmer out
look than either of their Axis part
ners. Official warnings may be the
best way to heighten popular de-
termination and readiness for fur
ther sacrifices. TOTO did give the
Diet one substantial crumb of COM
fort by saying that 100000 tons OF
raw materials had already been
brought home to Japan from con-
quered countries, which represented
10 per cent more than the nations
requirements for an entire year. The
bitter pill was further sweetened by
Admiral Shimada, who, following
TOTO on the rostrum, gave out sta
tistics Of enemy and japanese naval
losses so at variance with known
facts that they can only be described
as fantastic.
Thus, by a judicious mixture Of
frankness and hokum, Nippon's Off
cial spokesman prepare their people
for the trials and privations of an