WASHINGTON TALKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 126, 24 November 1941, Page 7

WASHINGTON TALKS

SOME HOPEFUL SIGNS

SITUATION STILL DELICATE

NEW YORK, November 23.

The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" says that the prospect that the conversations between America and Japan might meet with a modicum of success loomed for the first time today. There are certain hopeful factors, but the conversations are too delicate for the participants to discuss them openly at the present time. '

The main obstacle to the negotiations between the United States and Japan is the Japanese adherence to the Axis, which Mr. Cordell Hull, the United States Secretary of' State, has demanded that Japan renounce as one of the basic conditions, says the Washington correspondent of the "New York Herald Tribune." So far the Japanese have shown no disposition to sever the Axis link.

The Tokio correspondent of the "New York Times," Otto Tolischus, says that the general impression there is that only a miracle can lead the negotiations to success. Nevertheless, even if they break down no immediate move is expected by either side at least till there have been further develop- j ments in the European war. I However, the "Hochi Shimbun' 1 says:! "For five years we have waged a big war on ' the continent, and now, whether we like it or not, it will prove a training ground for a great War of the future." ELECTION DEMANDED. The Press gives a bbad reception to the special session of the Diet.' Some papers call on the Government to hold a new General Election so that it may reflect the true will of the people. The "Nichinichi Shimbun" says:. "The gravity, of the situation does not empower the Premier to evade an election." Simultaneously there is beginning a drive for a reconstruction of the political parties in place of imperial rule, Mr. Tolischus says. He also reports that the vice-presi-dent of the Imperial Rule Association, General Kisaburo Ando, said in a speech that Japan must prepare herself to meet the situation in such a manner as to gain victory without waging war.

The "Kokumin Shimbun" says: "Japan might be forced to denounce the Russo-Japanese neutrality pact and take firm measures ; in the event of Russia continuing her quibbling and procrastinating tactics regarding the Japanese protest over the Kehi Maru sinking."

A message from Berne, Switzerland, says that many members of the Japanese Embassy in Berlin, not including the Ambassador, have arrived at Berne. The reason is not known.