Inspire of all the excitement of the press in 'Tokyo, it is ditculs to believe that the Japanese Government' will run' the risk of a major cident in the Pacife by attempting to prevent the tankers which are now carrying, American all to Russia from reaching their destination, There are no signs that either the Soviet. Govern. ment or the United States intends. to divert these vessels, The campaign of intimidation which has been waxed by the newspapers in olsvo has failed of I purpose and it now remains to be seen whether there will be. any official action against the tankers, or whether the "Japanese, having, registered their protest, will not turn to their Axis partners and say: that they have done everything that might reason= ably be expected. It should nos be forgotten hat Japan "has treaty' of neutrality" with lussiaw and it ig believed that her intention to abide by this treaty has been recent Teaflirmed, in response to a request from Mos cow, The interception of supplies needed by Soviet Russia in her war against Germany would undoubledly be interpreted as a breach of this, treaty, while any interference with American ships "would. cause such repercussions in. the Unltea States that it would be a most foolhardy act. 'Susceptibilities over the use of Japanese fertitorial waters. forthe conveyance of Sup. plies which will probably be used against Japan' Partner can be understood. But. the argument that these supplies might also be Used against 'Japan herself' does not hold water, since Soviet Russia is unlikely: to take, action against Japan. unless the latter takes action first, The Soviets are preoccupied with their war in the west. and would take on other commitments only if, ab. solutely. forced to do so. They might consider stopping supplies provocation, enough, since Such a" stoppage might be construed as' an act war. If this were to happen the Japanese will fave brought the consequences upon their own heads. It fs understood that the Arst tanker to Teach' eastern waters. will be Russian,—not American, and that the possibility of an attempt to'stop this vessel is being closely watched the' Americans. Following a few. days, benin this first Russian tanker are believed to be three American ships, and their movements will pro ably depend upon whas action. if any, Is taken fever the first ship. Neither the Soviets nor the Bring 'States "are blurring over, this matter, which is in itself a small thing but which hao the bossbility of igniting a, very big fire, Whether' it does so. will depend upon the Japane and upon them only. There are signs that curb hav been placed upon some of the extremist elements in Jay were hag been a noticeable absence of official. statements from Tokyo by Fesponsible ministers, and this has coincided with attacks upon the Government by a section of the pross known to favour extreme action and also thought to be under a considerable degree fof Nazi Influence. If" this influence 1s allowed fo prevail' the result can only be. disastrot throughout the whole of the Far East. But it not believed that such a thing will happen. Cave tion and' commonsense must be reinstated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.