Although Mr. Welles appeared to be particularly preoccupied with the situation in Tientsin, the fact that he discussed the U.S.-Japanese situation was believed to have strengthened reports that the State Department is apprehensively studying the Far East problem, particularly the possible trade rapprochement between Japan and Russia.
Another, although indirect, cause for concern in Washington is the still unconfirmed report that Russia may sell some of her submarines in Vladivostok to Germany so that the Germans may extend their naval warfare against Allied shipping in the Far East.
Accomplishment of either of these two divergent moves undoubtedly would render the Far Eastern situation more complex than ever for the United States.
At the same time, however, observers felt here that such developments might serve more than ever to strengthen America's insistence on an "open door" in China—Un¥ed ress,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.