Administration sources emphasize that the commission would have to be buttressed by a campaign to build public support.

The decision is expected to be announced soon, Administration sources said.

But Administration sources, who cited worry about the record trade deficit, would not say how much they wanted the currency to decline.

Administration sources said that because of the nation's severe trade deficit, they did not expect the Government to try to arrest the trend.

Administration sources stressed that the Japanese are already buyers of military equipment, with their purchases running at about $1 billion a year.

The agency task force working on the issue is considering other ideas including a smaller reduction and a later deadline, according to Administration sources.

Given this huge disparity, it is only natural that most leaks would come from Administration sources.

The Government seems to be divided on the advisability of the sale, Administration sources said.

One Administration source said that Mr. Bush had not yet settled on a figure.

Answer No. 2, from other Administration sources, goes like this: It takes one to know one.