New to Java

Why does the following mock code fail to compile?
Its not a real problem just an annoyance.

import static b.str;
public class a{}

public class b{
	public static String str = "static";
}

gleesog4@minerva (..html/rss2/src/test) -> javac b.java                 [20:53]
gleesog4@minerva (..html/rss2/src/test) -> javac a.java                 [20:53]

a.java:1: cannot find symbol
symbol: class b
import static b.str;
              ^
a.java:1: static import only from classes and interfaces
import static b.str;
^
2 errors

Ger.