March 28, Domei, the Japanese news, agency often covers aspects of the news which are some times delightfully naive, and yesterday it came through with the following:—"Chan= collar Adolf Hitler, who returned from Vienna this morning, personally inspected the apartments in the Bellevue Palace, in which Foreign. Minister Matsuoka will stay during his sojourn in Berlin." Could a prettier picture of der Fithrer's domesticity be imagined? 'There was the head of a great state, just back from another diplomatic success, "with blushing honours thick upon him' "and preparing to ensnare another nation further into the Nazi toils, taking the necessary steps to sco that his guest and possibly next victim should be made perfectly comfortable. The whole episode can easily be conceived. Adolf, with profound technical knowledge, undoubtedly wished to make sure that the painting in the palace was ina good state. Who knows he might have resorted {0 the old familiar whitewash brush had there been anything amiss. Un= fortunately that doos not appear to have been the ease, for if it had, a far more picturesque story would have become avail able. Then having ascertained that the polished floors were not too slippery, for there must surely be no accidents during Mr. Matsuoka's stay in Berlin, Hitler must have turned his attention to the drains. Nothing creates a more unfavourable impression on a guest than for the drains to stink. The Nazis and all their works may be nothing but a most unpleasant odour, but a voei~ ferous drainage system at the Bellevue Palace would doubtless spoil the effect which so charmingly named a dwelling is hoped to have upon its temporary occupant.
Doubtess Hitler {urned the bedclothes back to make sure that the sheets had been properly aired, and possibly made sure that a warming pan was available, for nights are still cold at this time of the year in Berlin. Probably the plumbing was looked to as well, History does not say whether the versatile Adolf ever graduated in that art as well, but, usually "housepainters are handy men with water taps and the like, so that, if he gave them the "once over," it is more than likely they will stand up to the strain of Mr. "Matsuoka's short stay. Of course it may be readily assumed that it will be duly impressed upon the visitor that der Fihrer took personal pains to' ensure the comfort of his quest. It will be told him with bated breath, as a sign of the courteous considera~ tion of the great one, of his tender thought for those whom he dare not offend. Mr.
Matsuoka will most likely be greatly im. pressed.
But there is something unsatisfactory about the story. It. does not appear that Hitler has done all he should. For
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.