Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-24
Let Us Have the Facts!

What is the reason for all this pro-
Sound official mystery at Washington
about the Manchurian crisis? Why
have the White House and the State
Department become towers of impene-
krable silence since war clouds began
hardening the Far Eastern skies? Is
secret diplomacy again enthroned, and
have open covenants openly arrived
ht" been added to that collection of
bther scraps of paper which feeble and
futile craftsmanship is piling up these
days? The country is asking these
questions with growing persistency and
empatience.
For the past fortnight the situation in
Manchuria has drifted from bad to
worse. While the powers 60 through
the ludicrous motions of preventing
war" war RACES. League of Nations ul-
Hmatums are de1ed. Japanese military
operations are extended The United
states, reluctant to burn its fingers by
playing with League fire, takes its stand
for peace on the nine-power treaty and
the Kellogg pact. But just exactly
what the stand is-in precisely what
terms it was formulated and is being
MISUNDERSTANDING a matter upon
which the American people are being
kept in unjustifiable ignorance.
From day to day the country reads
bf more or less grave American notes
and warnings addressed to the Japan
ese government and of "conciliatory"
replies returned by the Toxic authori-
ties. 1t learns of incessant goings and
comings at the State Department by
the Japanese Ambassador and by the
ENJOYS Of other powers. 1t hears that
the transoceanic telephone line between
Washington and Paris is sizzling with
conversation between Secretary Slim
son and Ambassador Dawes, our repre-
sentative at the League Council. In a
tdozen directions the impression is Great
I'd that matters momentous for the fate
bf nations are in hand.
But what all this prodigious pother
about the country can only guess. 1t
Is told nothing. The hour has come
when it is entitled to expect that an
knd be put to dark-lantern methods and
That the American people be taken into
kheir Governments confidence as to
what is happening, or likely to happen,
hs result of Japan's defiance of world
ppinion. 1t is on the mobilization" Of
world opinion that President Hoover
more than once has said the United
States relies as its chief means for COM
posing international differences when
war is threatened.
World opinion cannot be modified as
Bong as 1t is uniformed opinion. II the
administration expects to have the Ma
tion's backing for whatever policy it
decides to adopt in this menacing Man
Ehurian business, no time is to be lost
Ia letting the people have the facts
Hnreservedly and fully After all, it is
their hides that will have to bear the
brunt Of whatever eventuates.
The President and his Secretary of
State should without further delay issue
statement setting forth completely,
-ehronologically and clearly what this
Peace-lovtng country has done to pre-
vent the fracas in the East from
Rmoldering into another world confia-
grafton. The statement will be glaringly
Inadequate if it fails to elucidate with
Equal clarity what the United States
purposes doing about Japan's violation
pr the nine-power treaty and the
NSellogg pact.