The Evening Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1941. MATSUOKA’S “MASTERPIECE.”

Evening Star, Issue 23860, 15 April 1941, Page 4

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1941. MATSUOKA’S “MASTERPIECE.”

Although the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, always emphasised that his trip to Europe was primarily for the purpose of making the acquaintance of Hitler and Mussolini, political observers in Tokio made no secret of their opinion that his chief objective was the conclusion of a non-aggression pact with Soviet Russia. It may be recalled that when the Axis Tripartite Pact was signed the Japanese authorities expressed- the hope that relations between Japan and the Soviet Union would be improved by means of Germany’s good offices. Mr Matsuoka, it was thought, would endeavour to get the Nazis to bring pressure on Russia for the conclusion of a non-aggression pact with Japan, and it was expected that he would make his greatest effort at Moscow on his way hack to Tokio. This appears to be almost precisely what has happened, and it may therefore be wrong to read too much into the cabled remark that “ Berlin is keeping a significant silence.” The New York ‘ Times ’ interprets the pact ns meaning that Russia is keeping herself free from any attack from the east if she herself decides to attack in Europe. Tokio political observers, on the other hand, see the position solely from the Japanese point of view. That is to say, they envisage increased freedom for Japan to adopt a more aggressive southward policy—apparently the cherished ambition of the militant groups in the nation. Russian comment is wisely confined to the vague pronouncement that the document is one 11 of great importance,” and no doubt the Kremlin, running true to form, will maintain a discreet silence on the whole question. The trumpetings of the Japanese Press suggest that the signing of the pact is being used as an intimidating measure against the United States. If this is so, then it can be stated at once that any such efforts are doomed to disappointment. The American Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, has given particularly calm judgment on the situation by stating that the conditions laid down in the pact have existed for sc;ne time, and that the only surprise lies in the fact of their being put into writing, in any case the Americans, in like manner to the British, will never be impressed by attempted browbeating. If the agreement has any immediate effect, it may be China that will feel it. One Tokio oipinion is that Japan’s next step will be to make very strong effor' to settle the Chinese, war through Soviet mediation. As far as is known, however, the Neutrality Pact contains no provision intended to put an end to Soviet aid for the Chungking Government, and in Chinese official circles no unfavourable influence is discerned. The question as to which signatory will gain most from the pact is problematical. It is the Japanese who have been making all the overtures, and in London some commentators, declaring that Russia seems to be the most favoured party, have arrived at the conclusion that Mr Matsuoka has had to wait a long time for very little. If a more vigorous southward policy is now pursued, it can be said without hesitation that any encouragement given by the pact to the men who think they control Japan’s destiny will bo purely psychological. Prince Konoye, the Prime Minister, showed all the characteristics of the Axis dictators when he repeated the old story that the Tripartite Pact was sigr, . in order to prevent the spread of the war throughout the world. The Axis technique, of course, lias always been to make the first stop towards aggression to the accompaniment of loud-voiced propaganda purporting to prove that such a movement was really aimed at keeping the peace in the country attacked. Are we now to bo asked to believe that the Netherlands Indies Government, for example, is contemplating an assault on neighbouring islands? >