Deadlock in the Pacific

There was a change of atmosphere in Asia. The bland Pacific air, which for ten years had crackled with Japanese threats, Japanese denunciations, Japanese egomania, grew tensely quiet. In the stillness came a gentle voice from Tokyo. It said plaintively: "Can't we be friends?"

One morning last week Japan's Ambassador to Washington, tall, one-eyed Admiral Nomura, called on President Roosevelt at the White House. He carried with him a letter to the President from Premier Prince Konoye. Prince Konoye wanted the President to discuss with Admiral Nomura the "thoroughgoing settlement" of Japan's differences with the U.S.

For 45 minutes Admiral Nomura worked his blandishments on the President, while Secretary of State Cordell Hull fingered his pince-nez ribbon. When the Admiral emerged, he flashed a smile at reporters, twirled a grey fedora in his brown hands. Then he stepped into his limousine.

Back at his embassy, Admiral Nomura discovered he had walked off with Judge Hull's hat, left his own. A messenger was hastily dispatched to the State Department to exchange hats. It was all right: Cordell Hull had carried the Admiral's hat away, had not noticed the difference. He was too busy meditating on the Admiral's message, wondering how to deal with a Japan which had all at once become embarrassingly friendly,.

Narrow Roadway. The mere fact that Japan had asked for a meeting was a diplomatic victory for the U.S. Where solemn words and warnings had failed to halt Japanese aggression in the Orient, bold acts had prevailed. By strangling Japan's trade with the U.S., Franklin Roosevelt had suggested to the Japanese that it might be a good idea to pause and talk things over.

Tokyo was optimistic about a settlement, hinted that a basic understanding had already been reached. But actually and realistically, what "deal" is possible between the U.S. and Japan? The crux of the matter is China.

Of China's aims, the first is complete withdrawal of Japanese soldiers from Chinese soil. Japan is now willing to make "concessions," would jump at the chance to end the China war by retaining only part of China. If Japan will get completely out, then there is no difficulty in the Pacific which cannot be quickly settled. If Japan will not get completely out of China, then there can be no "thoroughgoing settlement" unless the U.S. attempts a sellout of China.

Last week, as if to underscore U.S. sincerity, the President prepared to send a top-notch military mission, headed by Brigadier-General John Magruder, to Chungking. A onetime military attache in Peking, clearheaded, athletic General Magruder is well known in China.

Deadlock. Meanwhile, reportedly on their way to Vladivostok, fast as they can plow across the Pacific, are the first units of a fleet of U.S. merchant ships bearing supplies for Russia. Some time during the next week or two they will presumably move into waters which are patrolled by Japan. These ships, said Tokyo, are embarrassing to Japan. But to a Japanese complaint last week Cordell Hull gave a cool answer. The U.S., said he, will stand by its historic policy of the freedom of the seas.

Russia's ships and China's mission are both part of a new U.S. policy in the Pacific which amounts to a virtual alliance--with Russia against Germany, with China against Japan. So the Pacific situation is almost a deadlock. No solution was in sight--but for the time being no blowup was in sight either. People who know the President's mind suspect that he is as willing as Prince Konoye to postpone a showdown. For with each week that passes, the U.S. grows stronger.

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