Patience Exhausted

Two Japanese are under arrest in California, charged with conspiracy to obtain defense information for use against the United States. Held also under technical arrest is a former yeoman of the United States Navy; but he is hailed as the hero of the plot, credited with "luring" the Japanese along until the evidence seemed sufficient for the G-men to move in.

No one can tell how this case will hold up in court; but, if the government makes anything of it, the way may be opened to considerable action along such lines.� Meanwhile, others may take warning.

There isn't a doubt that agents of foreign governments are in the market for confidential information about American defense plans. There isn't a doubt that many aliens and natives on the ground are eager to conspire against the United States. This first case happens to involve Japanese.

It must seem quite flagrant to our authorities. They have long been patient with underground activities of agents of Soviet Russia, Germany and Italy, as well as Japan. Maybe a general change of attitude impends.