Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-11
BY WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.

~ LONGAPO is a place likely 70
be heard of regularly in
United States Marine Corps
" circles. 1t is the site of a
base in the Philippine Islands
across the bay from Manila and over
land to the province of ZambaleS. rae
ing the China Sea. The Marines are
reViving it after a protracted period OF
idleneSs and decay.
A detail of $50 Marines has left
Shanghai with Olongapo as their deStl-
nation after short stop at Guam. 1t
is probable that this number at Olon-
oapo will be increased as the Marines
are withdrawn from China, now that
that country is relatively peaceful.
Moreover, Marines in the United States
will be sent there in the usual routine
If plans to make it permanent base
are carried through
Il The reason for reviving Olongapo
was furnished in the experience OF the
! Marine Corps during the critical days
of the Chinese situation in the Spring
of 1927. 1t was necessary to send
Marines from the United States, re-
quiring three weeks at the fastest, while
II a substantial force were stationed
in the Philippines they could reach
southern China in two days and
! Shanghai in four days, or sooner on
fast destroyerS.
OF course, where as large an expedi-
! tionary force as 5000 Marines is re-
uuired, the number which was sent to
China at the peak CT the crisis there,
the bases in the United States would
| have to be drawn upon, for no such
force will be kept in the Philippines.
But for emergency calls and as pre-
liminary forces to cope with sudden
appeals by Americans in the Pacific area
for protection several hundreds sta
toned at Olongapo will cover the re-
| quirements.
Marines Not Needed.
The Marines are not needed in the
Philippines for service in the islands,
| because the Regular Army is well repre-
| Sented there III international affairs,
| however, regular soldiers cannot be
| landed on foreign soil, such as China,
| without being considered an act of
war; whereas, 1t is recognized that the
marines of any nation may be landed
as temporary protective measure with
| out becoming an invasion. 1t was for
| this reason that Marines, and not reg
ular soldiers, were sent to China, and
to Nicaragua.
The United States gradually is recall
| ing the Marines from China, leaving
forces at Shanghai and Tientsin, and
small detachment at the legation IN
| Picking for the present Just as rapidly
as China gives evidence of having at
tanned stable government able to pro-
tect American citizens the other Ma
rineS will be withdrawn. There is a
hopeful feeling in Washington that
stability is being attained.
Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler, COM
handing the Marines in China, may
finally depart from that country with
his ambition realized of not having
| fired shot to protect Americans, in
| the sense of an attack or offensive
operation. In the fighting around both
| Shanghai and Tientsin by the Chi
nese armies several highly critical sit
uationS arose, but passed without blood
shed on the part Of the Marines.
| The American people may assume
| from the tariff treaty recently signed
| between the United States and the new
Chinese regime that new era has be-
| gun and that China henceforth will be
treated as fully autonomous nation
! 1t may be asked why, in this situation
| the United States continues to keeC
! Marines and warshipS in China and Its
waters. The answer is that no existing
! treaty between the United States and
| China has been abrogated, with the eX-
ception of the tariff relations, and ex-
/ isting treaties give the United States
the right to protect its citizens in GER
| tain circumstances and to enjoy GER
| tain extraterritorial rights.
China is pressing for revision of
these treaties, called commonly the "un-
equal treaties" and the United States