Washington, Mar. 16,
Yosuke Matsuoka, Japanese Foreign Minister, who is en route Eastern circles today were watching the itinerary of Mr. to Europe, as an index of the trend of Japanese-American relations.
They also were speculating that the Berlin visit of Mr. Matsuoka would test Japan's commitments to the Axis.
Official as well as unofficial circles were very interested in Mr. Matsuoka's hint that he might visit London and Washington, following his stop at Berlin, buf most informed sources believed the hint was aimed at Berlin. They speculated that unless Mr. Matsuoka was ready to sever, Or'at least loosen, Japan's Axis ties, it would be unlikely that he would Call at London and Washington.
Some circles suggested Mr. Matsuoka might urgently wish to retain the possibility of a western visit as a diplomatic ace in the Berlin conversations. Mr. Matsuoka appeared to be holding the initiative in some respects because Chancellor Hitler has little to offer Japan, while Japan can be very helpful to Germany.
Nevertheless, before Mr. Matsuoka would commit himself to Berlin, as-Surances would be required "that Soviet Russia would not harass the Japanese rear and secondly, that the Soviet cease or minimize aid to China.
Both requirements would appear obtainable only through Chancellor Hitlers intercession with M. Joseph Stalin. The missing factor in this diplomatic puzzle is what Germany and Japan may offer Russia.
Diplomatic sources speculated that the offer might consist of Sakhalien Island and the South Manchurian Railway. Japan might also ask assurances of supplies of raw materials and machinery from Germany and Russia if the United States' embargo tightened.
It is highly questionable, observers felt, if the United States would welcome a visit from Mr. Matsuoka be-advantages, the responsibility guarding him against demonstrations probably would outweigh favourable consideration.—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.