Fallen Leaves in Japan
The Japanese Government is faced with perplexing prob- lems arising from the invasion of Russia, and was unable to make the expected statement after the meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesdays the official spokesman could only declare Japan's intentions to maintain her treaty obligations to both parties. To Germany she is only pledged to give help if Germany is attacked by a Power other than Russia; to Russia she has promised neutrality if Russia is attacked. It is recognised in Tokyo that Germany is no longer such a good horse to back since she has to defeat Britain, America and Russia before she can win the war ; and if she did succeed in crushing Russia she would find German influence dominant in Siberia up to the borders of Manchukuo and China. Russia in the war, co-operating with Britain and the United States, might offer these Powers the use of her military bases in the Far East, and thus affect the whole disposition of Japanese defences. Japan has gone far to alienate Britain and the United States, but now it has both ceased to be safe to back Germany and to be desirable that Germany should win. Can we read Japan's attitude from the motto which Mr. Matsuoka is re- ported to have quoted: " When the western wind blows fallen leaves are piled up in the East," adding, " If we use a broom against the wind the fallen leaves will be scattered "? Is this to be interpreted " Leave well alone "?
