The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1945-04-06
Jops Anxious
About Russia
Continued from Page u

Japan formally had acknowledged
receipt Of Russia's abrogation of the
pact, thus automatically terminal
ing it April IS, 1916. The foreign
office released the text Of the So
Wet note, already announced at
Mascow.
Sadao Iguchi, official spokesman
of the japanese information board,
noted the termination date and said
both Japan and Russia were bound
to maintain the neutrality for an
other year at least"
Domei, however, said relations be-
tween Japan and the Soviet Union
may see swift change" and Radio
Tokyo commented that Japan was
ready to meet any abrupt change"
May Grant Bases
Radio Tokyo's brief comment did
not mention what developments had
been taken into account, but Lon
don newspapers speculated that
Russia either would grant bases to
the Allies or declare war on Japan.
Some optimistic military and
diplomatic observers saw a posi-
bility that the scrapping of the
pact, coming on top of the fall Of
the Koiso cabinet and In the midst
OF increasing military defeats, might
lead Japan to ask for peace soon
after the capitulation Of Germany.
They expected a clue to Japan's
intentions in the composition of the
new government which Admiral
Baron Kantaro Suzuki, II, usually
regarded as a political moderate,
was attempting to form.
Radio Tokyo said the cabinet
might be completed today.
A cabinet largely of civilians
might portend step toward peace,
but one of soldiers and admirals
would foreshadow renewed japanese
efforts to turn the tide. Tokyo
newspapers were calling for a "bat-
tie cabinet"
The Tokyo Domei Agency said
Suzuki had established cabinet or
ganization headquarters at his resi-
dence and had received former Pre-
mier Admiral Keisuke Okada, Ad-
niral Koshiro Ottawa, chief of the
naval general staff, and Marshal
Gen Sugiyama, war minister in the
resigned Koiso regime.
Radio Toyko's comment on the
denunciation of the Soviet-Japa-
nese neutrality pact emphasized that
even il it had been abrogated, its
terms remained in force until April
Is, 1916.
Japan, however, is fully prepar-
ed to meet any abrupt change in
existing Japan Soviet conditions, In
view Of the rapid progress of the
world situation" Tokyo said.
The abrogation had been long ex.
pected, the enemy broadcast con
tended.
Premie. Marshal Stains refer
ence to Japan as an "aggressor" IN
speech last Nov. 6 and "other de.
velopments in the international sit
uation clearly indicated that the So.
Wet attitude toward Japan was I'M
dergoing a radical change" Tokyo
said.
London military observers COM
menting on the Tokyo statement
said that approximately half OF
Japan's 100000 troops in China
were stationed in North China and
Manchuria opposite the Russian
Siberian border.
Secrecy Cloak
Russia's armies in the Far East
have been cloaked in even more
secrecy than those on the German
front.
However, it was certain that the
Soviets never would have denounced
the neutrality pact unless taey were
prepared for all eventualities.
Military commentators said the
Japanese even may attack Russia
first in an attempt to cut of such
strategic points as Vladivostok on
the Siberian appendix opposite
Japan.
The London Daily Mail said the
Russian action foreshadowed the
granting Of air and naval bases in
Siberia to the Allies as well as a
possible Soviet declaration Of war.
Front-page maps in the Mail show
ed half-dozen Soviet bases within
easy bombing range Of Japan.
Russia has accused Japan OF
helping Germany" the Mail said.
said. There Is an obvious intima-
ton that she intends to take fur
Their action"
The London News Chronicle said
the outbreak OF Russo-Japanese
hostilities would 'revolutionize land
operations planned to take place on
Chinese SOIL"
The London Daily sketch took it
for granted that Russia would fight
Japan and commented:
THUS Japan pays the full price
for her arrogance and deceit =.
the world outlawry of Japan is COM
plete.
The London Daily Express sug-
gested that the Soviet action may
be the last straw" for Japan.
Emperor Hirohito, who never has
an enthusiastic supporter of the
war with the western powers, may
take strong action to extricate
Japan from the greatest dangers in
its history" the Daily Express said.
Tokyo newspapers, meantime,
were calling upon Suzuki to form a
fighting cabinet that would steer
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