"Washington, Sept. 10.
International circles received reports yesterday that many leading Japanese were convinced Germany cannot win the war and therefore desire to weaken Axis ties while strengthening those with Great Britain and the United States as rapidly as possible consistent with efforts to "save face."
The reports, however, in no way indicated *that Japan intends to break openly or formally with the Axi: Such a course. according to the reports, would be so abrupt as to cause grave internal repercussions.
The Tokyo spokesman's comment that Japan probably would acquiesce to shipments of United States oil to Russia if the United States resumed oil shipments to Japan was interpreted as a sample of the adjustment the Jepanese may undertake.
"Exploratory" Negotiations Informed quarters speculated when the impending announcement by Prince Fumimaro Konoye, Premier, wanle likely be a notice to the Japanese that negotiations have been open-a with the United States to improve el ins between the two countries.
: wes presumed such negotiations be described in the same e that Mr. Cordell Hull, Sec-of State, -used here—namely, atory" to see if a way ran onad to give Japan an "honcu:
scape from her present vre n might later abandon fO-DAY'S RADIO
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.