The Indianapolis times., 1931-12-07
Use the Nine-Power Treaty,


Japan again openly threatens to attack Chin
chow. That is in violation of Japan's specific pledge
to Secretary of State stimson 1t is in violation OF
the American treaties, especially the nine-power
treaty.
Japans latest threat follows eleven weeks of treaty
violaton-treates to which the United States is a
party American and otherneutral military observers
report officially that this attack is not being provoked
by the Chinese army at Chinchow, which is making
no aggressive preparation against the Japanese
AT Paris the League OF Nations council is power
less to preserve peace because the United States de-
spite her promise withholds effective cooperation
Only action by the United States can save the
peace treaties. President Aristide BRAND of the
league council says so. So the world knows it is
true Millions of American citizens are waiting for
the state department to act
Under the nine-power treaty the duty of the state
department is clear. That treaty was signed with
China by the United States, Japan and six other
powers. Therein they promised to respect the SOW
ereignty the independence and the territorial and
administrative integrity Of China"-al of which has
been continuously violated by Japan since Sept. 49,
The United States also agreed with the other DOW
ers that whenever situation arises which in the
opinion of any of them involves the application of
the Stipuations Of the present treaty. and renders
desirable discussion of such application there shall
be full and frank communication between the con-
tracing powers concerned"
For eleven weeks the Hoover administration has
failed to invoke that prescribed discussion bv the
treaty powers, or to take any other public action
definitely citing Japan as treaty violator.
instead OF preserving the treaty the Hoover ad-
mnlstration seems on its record to be trying to pro-
tect the japanese civilian cabinet cabinet which
has proved unable to control the japanese army and
unable to commit the emperor who is the sovereign
Japanese government.
Ihls Hoover-Stimson policy is as irregular and
dangerous as is ineffective for peace Whether the
Toxic cabinet falls, remains as a screen for the
war Office which dictates with consent of both en-
peror and constitution, is an internal Japanese issue
in which neither the United States nor any other
foreign government has any international right TO
interfere
The sole interest of the United States is in its
treaty rights and treaty responsibilities Open al
egance to those treaty obligations should be the sole
policy Of the state department in this crisis
We appeal to President Hoover and Secretary
Stimson to live up to the treaty which they have no
right, legal or moral, to ignore That is the treaty.
under which America, with complete trust in Japans
good fath sacrificed American rights to fortify the
Phllppnes and to build up our navy because Japan
promised to respect and protect Chinese integrity.
We appeal to Secretary Stimson to confer at once
with the nine-power diplomatic representatives in
Washington regarding what can be DONE and to ex-
change information, to pool judgments, and to IA
ctate openly the discussions prescribed by the treaty
for its application
Manchuria means little The worlds peace ma
chinery means much.
To take sides a partisan in a Japanese Chinese
quarrel is not Americas business But to stand by
her own peace treaties is Americas pledged duty