March 28
The arrival of Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, Japanese Foreign Minister, in Berlin. of March 26 was marked. with typical Nazi theatricality, and it is to be expected. that when he goes to Rome the same thing wil be repeated. Obviously from the dotaters point of view, it is highly desirable to make much of his'vist, for domestic propaganda Purposes, to impress upon the people of Ger many and Taly the fact that they have a Powerful ally the Fat East," That is about Sit this isl fe Mikely to-do. "Tt has been Stated that the purpose of the visit was to Aiscover means of making the 'Tripartite Pact more powerful than itis at present, by ascertaining what atistance Rome and Berlin tan give to Japan, and in what manner the fast momed can reciprocate." Mateuok could' have discovered all that without finaleing this humiliating trip to Europe, himeelf now admilg, at the invitation of the two European dictators. Japan has ithe to" expect from either. Germany" of Taly. Neither o¢ them can come to, her aesistance should her present Government, dominated as. it's by military extromiste, decide 1 plunge her into war. Nor can Japan do much 10 Uist them, save inthe prostration of her policies for her own exclusive bene, Wife will ensure, in. the. words of A Matsuoka, Japan's sharing the joys and fullerings of her partners in the Pack Te has boon suggested that "what Mr Matsuoka really went fo Berlin for- was t0 Secure 1/500. aeroplanes" and. some, German aviators in order to strengthen Japan's air force, I is possible that Germany might agree {o Tet him have them." <Apart from that 'Matsuoka may expect much flattery, many promises and hosts of assurances. a8 to the Part Japan will play fu the new order about Thich the Nazis babble so much, Hitler will promise anything for Japanese assistance, Pulling' dhe chestnuts out of the fre of his own igniting. Mussolini may be relied upon {o promise even more, for his plight iz at resent far more desperate," and.
Matsuoka's brief stay inthe' two' enemy capitals may prove 9 be a veriable any ofiplessant words with te else, 1 is unlikely' that. the Japanese Foreign Minister will be afforded any opportunity of seeing very much of the enormous damage the TA. has Infeted upon Germany's war industry. That would be bad propaganda. The Nazis will undoubtedly have. to. show him some, notably the corpse of the unknown cow, which, according to the Germans, the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.