Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-22

the other powers in any action Of moral
pressure. But the League, realizing
its inability to handle Japan by pure
moral pressure. decided on some serious
action, such as an economic boycott.
The American Government was COM
PEELED to diSsaSSociate itself from the
other powers, not only because such
a boycott would hurt our economic In
terests more than it would hurt
those OF any other power, but because
an economic boycott Is considered
tantamount to q declaration Of war,
and 1T Is only the Congress OF the
United States that can decide upon
such measure.
Much as the Government Of this
country desires to cooperate with the
other nations to safeguard the Sanctity
OF the treaties guaranteeing an ami
cable settlement of disputes among ma
tons, 1t cannot pledge Congress to
any action. This is the reason why
Ambassador Dawes told the members
OF the League Council that America
cannot join them in a boycott against
Japan and that we must reserve our
complete freedom OF action.
May Turn to Chinese.
Under the circumstances it appears
doubtful whether the League will con-
tinue to wish TO enforce drastic actions
against Japan. It is more likely that
1t will endeavor to persuade the Chinese
10 come to an agreement with the
Japanese.
The recent actions Of the Japanese
nlltary seem to be taken with the
view or facilitating such a move.
Inc japanese have occupied TsitSihar
and few points north of that impor-
tant railway junction. These points
are IN the Russian zone of influence,
which the Japanese do not intend to
invade for the time being at least.
The japanese have no haphaZard
policies. They have set out to con-
solidate their position in Southern
Manchuria and are determined to do
so regardless Of what the rest Of the
world may think or say. Today, how
ever, the japanese have occupied more
than they really want to keep. Ac-
cording to well informed sources, the
object OF the Japanese general staff is
to have sufficient extra territory in
their position so as to enable their
government to bargain with the Chinese
and by returning them some of the
occupied area, to save the face Of the
Chinese negotiators.
Want Railway Control
The Japanese want to consolidate
their position in Southern Manchuria
and control effectively not only the
South Manchur1an railways, but also
those the Chinese have built with
Japanese capital. If they can do that
they will assure the complete control
Of every outlet on the Pacific south of
Vladivostok.
The Japanese government is deter
mined to complete the line which runs
from Chan Chung through Kirin to a
warm water seaport near Yuki to be
built south of Vladivostok. They want
to complete the railway line from
TunhWa to the Sea of Japan and do
not want any possible interference with
their plans either by the Chinese or
any other nation. For this they need
the complete and unquestioned control
of Southern Manchuria and mean to
stay there as complete masters.
The other areas in Northern Man
churia they have occupied recently
are, it is believed here, mere bargain
ing points which they consider indis-
pensable in order to obtain from the
Chinese what Japan actually wants.