Evening star., 1944-07-20
Fall Of 1ojo Viewed
As Admitting Setback,
But Intensifying War

The fall of the TOTO regime, while
E. tremendous setback, forecasts an
intensif1cation rather than any
slackening Of the Japanese war ef-
fort, in the opinion Of observers in
Washington, London, Chungking
and Berlin. ....
Regardless of changes in its titular
rulers, Japan can be expected to
wage the same ruthless warfare as
in the past. Acting Secretary Of War
Robert P. Patterson declared today
in warning Americans not to be de-
ceived by the resignation of the lin
famous Tojo."
Far from indicating japanese
plan to sue for peace, the upheaval
in Tokyo may mean an invlgorated
war effort, according to State De-
partment observers. A group of
War Department officers spent most
of the morning discussing the situa-
tion with Joseph C. Grew. special
assistant to Secretary of State Hull
in connection with Far East affairs
and for 10 years American AM
bassador to Japan.
Hull Is Questioned.
Secretary Hull, questioned at his
press conference. said that the fall
of the Toto cabinet indicated SUBJ
stantial reverse in the japanese
military situation He added that
it was impossible to know now what
results would follow the reorganiza-
ton of the government, but cited
Mr.. Patterson's statement that we
must expect the japanese to try
to put into effect more successful
military plans to replace those on
which they had been operating.
Well-informed opinion in London
the Associated Press reported, re-
jects the supposition that any major
change in japanese policy will fol-
low the ousting OF TOTO.
Berlin "Welcomes" Move.
In a wry comment, the Berlin
radio today quoted foreign office
spokesman as admitting that mill
tary setbacks call for very intensive
efforts, as is well known in Berlin
Berlin welcomes the japanese in
tention of forming a new govern
ment on the broadest possible basis. y
Chinese at Chungking linked the
fall of TOTO with differences be-
tween the japanese Army and Navy,
particularly over the loss OF Salpan.
with the army blaming the navy
for the reverse.
There was much speculation in
Chungking about the possibility
that a change of regimes presages
an all-out attempt to halt Amer
ican progress in the Pacific by
throwing in forces now occupied
In China.
Oficials familiar with Gen. Koise S
background regard him AS fully as
militaristic as TOTO. Admiral Yonai,
once regarded as mild liberal. can
not now be considered as factor
for peace.
Peace OvertureS UncOnfirmed.
Mr.. Patterson agreed that the new
rulers will be equally hostile. He
said there has been no official con-
firmation of any japanese peace
overtures, adding the japanese well
know we are not prepared to talk
peace The war is now going badly
from the japanese viewpoint and
will get worse and worse as time
goes on" Mr.. Patterson predicted.
While the japanese people are
beginning to be aware of the seri-
Gus nature of their recent defeats,
Mr.. Patterson continued, the
desperate group that controls Japan
will see that the toughest and most
ruthless commanders are brought
out to occupy the hazardous army
and navy posts.
Just as local japanese command
ers kept their men fighting until
the end, we can take it for granted
that the military chiefs of Tokyo
will keep their empire, whose CEN
tral forces have not yet been met,
in hattie IN the hitter end ="