FAR EAST: Anniversary in Tokyo

The first anniversary of the Tripartite Pact of Germany, Italy and Japan meant to the world that the pact had failed in its principal aim. That aim was to paralyze U.S. policy by simultaneous threats in both the Atlantic and the Pacific.

The Japanese, therefore, celebrated the anniversary last week with reserve. Foreign Minister Teijiro Toyoda made a speech in which he emphasized the peaceful character of Japan’s designs, her desire, as an Axis partner, to prevent the extension of World War II. Since the pact was approved by Premier Prince Konoye and most of the present Cabinet, since it was blessed by the Son of Heaven, this was as far as a polite Japanese Minister could go in the way of saying that the pact did not mean anything.

Nobody, least of all the U.S. Government, supposed that Japan would not find the pact full of meaning if, at some later date, it became safe to challenge the U.S. Just now Japan was preoccupied in keeping the U.S. mollified by polite doubletalk. But to German Ambassador Major General Eugen Ott double-talk is not pleasing. At an anniversary luncheon at Foreign Minister Toyoda’s home he talked straight.

“Lasting victories,” said Ambassador Ott, “are achieved in this world only by those who fight for their cause with all their might.”

The most gaging comment of all came from near the base of the famed extinct volcano Fujiyama, where a reporter interviewed extinct Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka. Mr. Matsuoka, who in frock coat had signed both the Tripartite Pact and the neutrality pact with Russia (and therefor lost his job) was now dressed in a dark blue cotton gown and triangular straw hat. He carried a long staff and smoked his old briar pipe. Mused he:

“The international situation as viewed from the top of a mountain possesses different aspects.”