The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-23
To Keen America Out of War

Americans want to keep out of the Manchurlan
war. Americans want to keep out of any world war
which may follow the breakdown of the worlds trea-
ties and peace machinery Americans want peace
first, last and all the time.
But Americans today are not clear as how to pre-
serve peace Many do not realize that future world
peace is threatened by the defiance of treaties in
Manchuria. Among Americans who do not under
stand the grave danger there are two groups work
ing at cross purposes.
One group favors the handsoff policy of President
Hoover and Secretary of State Stimson. The Hoo
er-Stimson policy consists of wanting peace with
out being willing to embarrass Japan or to take
definite action of any kind either alone or in CO.
operation with other neutral nations.
1t is admitted by all that the ver-Stinson
policy has failed to date-failed to stop the Man
churan war; failed to induce Japan to withdraw,
failed to support the general antiwar treaties upon
which future world peace largely depends Never
theess the Hoover Stimson group boasts that they
at least have "kept us out of war;" which is the
important thing.
The indianapolis Times and other Scripps- Howard
newspapers stand with the opposing group of Amer
leans who believe that the -Stmson policy is
as dangerous to American peace as it is dshonorable
and futile
il
of inaction now may lead to future world war
which America can not escape that preservation
of the peace treaties is the sole issue.
We are not concerned with the local Manchurian
quarrel We would not support war to keep Japan
out of Manchuria. If China and Japan could go on
with their war without Gripping the worlds peace
machinery the Hoover hands-of policy would be
perfect.
But-for better or for worse-America is in this
mess up to her neck. America can not withdraw and
keep hands off without breaking her own treaties,
without helping destroy the very machinery which
America set up to keep America out of future wars
The nine-power Pacific treaty, guaranteeing
Chna's territorial and administrative integrity, is
Americas treaty America has violated the purpose
of that treaty by failure invoke it against Japan
its volator.
The kellogg pact, in which Japan agreed to set
tie all disputes by peaceful is Americas treaty
America has violated the purpose of that treaty by
failure to invoke it against Japan, its violator.
Hoover has gone further than to violate the pur-
nose of Americas own treaties. BY so doing, and by
permitting Japan to understand that America would
keep hands of, he has prevented effective League OF
Nations action and weakened all the leagues peace
machinery
America could stop Japan's destruction of the
treaties America could do it Independently or in
cooperation with the league. Even President BRAND
of the league council admits that, and appeals to
America to act
To fight Japan with troops is not necessary, nor
has such proposal ever been made in any respon-
sible quarter-certainly not by u.s.
Even an economic boycott is not necessary. AT
least it will not be necessary unless Japan is en-
courased by the Hoover handso policy to go 80 fsl
that. conquest finally blinds her to the cost OF be-
coming an outawed nation.
All that has been necessary at any time curing
the last nine weeks has been an honest and courag-
eous nublc statement by President Hoover to Japan
asserting:
That America has no quarrel with legitimate Jap
anese interests in Manchuria, but America can not
continue friendly relations with any nation anywhere
which wrecks American peace machinery that unless
yanan Immediately restores her right to respect as
treaty nation, by Withdrawing her troops America
will break diplomatic relations
No nation can afford to be outawed by the United
states. the strongest nation in the world OF al ma