JAPAN: Hour of Indecision

Now & then, under special pressure, a Japanese diplomat startles the world with a statement of plain, simple candor, and such a statement came last week from bony little Kenkichi Yoshizawa, head of Japan's economic mission to The Netherlands East Indies. He had been politely informed last fortnight that The Netherlands East Indies had not the least idea of allowing Japan increased shipments of rubber, oil and tin. Speaking over the telephone to the Tokyo press, Commissioner Yoshizawa said: "The choice before us would seem to be either statesmanship or physical force."

This was a complete definition of what worried...

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