The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-23
U. 5. FOREIGN
/. POLICY HINGES
UPON LEAGUE
Action on German, Japan
Crises AnxiouSIy Is
Awaited Here.
ARMS FUTURE AT STAKE
.Nippon'S Bridges Burned
Behind Her in Bid for
Power.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIAIMS
Scripps-Howard Foreign Editor

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-Future
foreign policy of the United States
today hinges to no small degree
upon what takes place at Geneva
during the next ninety days.
Monday. in the little Swiss city
by Lake Leman. the thirteenth as
Sembly of the League Of Nations will
be called to order. On that day
admittedly will begin life or death
struggle for that body's very exist
ence.
Whether it will be death for the
league depends upon how it handles
the two paramount problems before
1t, Japans armed seizure of Man
churia in violation of the covenant.
and Germany's ultimatun demand
ing equal armament rights with
other powers as the price of her Co
operation in world disarmament or
with the league.
Although the United States is not
a member of the league, no major
member is more vitality concerned
over the outcome. It's national de-
tense policy, as we'll as the whole
nature and extent of its participa-
ton in the postwar world peace
machinery, will turn upon what
happens at Geneva.
Americas future Involved
Americas future in the Pacific
also is directly involved. and the
fancied security of the Philippines
upset
In return for the security offered
by the nine-power treaty guarantee
ing China's. territorial and political
independence, and by the four
power pact of the Pacific safe
guarding its insular possessions in
those waters, the United States
agreed 20 sink the better part of its
navy and virtually disarm the Phil
ippines and Guam.
Basing its action upon the sane
tity of these treaties, the United
States scrapped fifteen of the
mightiest dreadnaughts ever de-
signed, totaling $4,000 tons, plus
$4,000 tons of older battleships, and
abandoned plans for further forti4
flying its possessions in the western
Pacific.
Today the sanctity of these agree
ments is challenged.
Japan asserts The nine power
treaty no longer applies. She has
invaded Manchuria, and virtually
converted that part of China in a
protectorate.
Can Treaty Be Strapped?
If that treaty can be strapped at
will by any of its signatories, it is
held here, no treaty-be it the four
power pact of the Pacific, the KEEL
logg pact, the covenant of the
league, or any other-can any long-
er safely be relied upon as a basis
of international policy.
Whether Japan gets away with
her bold challenge is now up to the
league. The league must decide
whether to proceed with moral
sanctions, recall of ambassadors and
boycott or with policy of white
wash.
Japan has burned her bridges.
She VOWS nothing can make her
swerve from the course which her
manifest destiny" dictates She
intimates she will quit the league.
if the league will not whitewash
her.
The issue as viewed from Wash
ington is clear The fate of all the
postwar treaties and pacts upon
which the present hope of world
peace and disarmament, definitely
is at stake.
Fateful Day Is Nearing
If Germany makes good her
threat to quit the league, Austria,
Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria and Tur-
key may go along with her.
The final showdown at Geneva is
not expected next week. The league
itself is reported almost in panic,
and is playing for time.
Japan has asked for a six weeks
delay. and readily will be accorded
it before her crucial case comes I'D.
But observers here fear nothing
can stave off. the fatal day much
longer, however dilatory the gentle
men Of Geneva.
E0IIR R0IIMN Tn IIIPV