Evening star., 1932-01-31


assurances that Japan scrupulously
would respect the integrity OF the In
ternational Settlement and foreign
rights and interests in 1t. 1t is un-
thinkable that Japan has any territorial
aspirations either in Shanghai or Man
churia. If Chinese would stop trlng
on our forces from armored cars, be-
lieve the fighting soon would enc.
The latest American protest in the
Shanghai incident is the second spe-
cific remonstrance the United States
has lodged with Japan since the occu-
patton of Manchuria began. Secre-
tary Stimson several weeks ago pro-
tested the attack made by japanese
soldiers on Culver B. Chamberlain,
American consul, who was assaulted at
Mukden In this case prompt apology
was offered and the guilty soldiers pun
iShed. The apology was offered at the
State Department by Ambassador De
buchi and also to MIR. Chamberlain bV
japanese diplomatic and military rep
resentatives.
Full Information Received.
This is also the second time the
United States has acted jointly with
the British government. Representa-
tions were to the japanese foreign
office earlier this week, expressing the
hope that Japanese troops would not
invade the international settlement In
violation of treaty rights. The Ameri-
can representations were transmtteo
through Ambassador w. Cameron
Forbes and not made public.
Sufficient grounds for the latest pro-
test were found in the reports OF the
American consul general at Shanghai
furnishing full information on late de-
velopmentS 1t was reported that alter
Mayor WI Of the native city had mace
what was considered a favorable reply
to the demands Of the Japanese ao-
miral and the japanese consul general
had given the consular body in the In
ternational Settlement TO understand
that the reply was taken favorably, Jap
anese forces forcibly occupied the Chi
nese section of the city known as
Chapel
The occupation was without warning
and accompanied by attacks on civilians
not only by the forces landed from the
warships, but by the dropping OF bombs
from airplanes.
In framing its protest the State De
partment was constrained to take the
position that the attack on Chapei and
the manner in which 1t was conducted
endangered the port Of Shanghai, IN
Guiding the foreign residents OF the
International Settlement. The Amer
ican residents in Shanghai number ap-
proximately $500, in addition to LOO
Marines. The suddennesS and uneX-
pected nature of the attack, following
NV
was given consideration in the drafting
of the American protest.
Ambassador Debuchi's call, he said
as he emerged smiling from the office
of Secretary StimSon, was to give ad-
ditional assurance that the japanese
authorities, naval and diplomatic. would
cooperate with foreigners in the In
ternational Settlement in dealing with
the situation Japan participates in
the government of the international
Settlement. He held the sending OF
japanese forces into Chapel was in
compliance with the understanding be-
tween japanese officials and the
Chinese municipal authorities.
Secretary StimSon discussed the STU
alton with newspaper men at noon yes
terday without attempting to minimize
the graveness of the situation as he
saw it. He declined to discuss his brief
conference with Ambassador Debuchi
nor would he confirm the account given
to the reporters by the japanese diplo-
mat as he left the State Department
The SecretaryS announcement that the
protest had been made and that similar
representations had been made by the
British government indicated that no
incident had been closed nor Smoothed
aUav nv the call of the Japanese Am
baSSadOr.
Irritating Opinion Avoided.
Congressional reaction to the turn of
events in Shanghai was tempered by
disposition to avoid needlessly stirring
japanese feeling or otherwise 1rr1tat-
ing international opinion. With Senate
and House in week end recess, the
crisis in the Far East preoccupied Capt.
tol Hill.
The prevailing theory was that Japan,
having occupied Manchuria and having
struck at Shanghai for the avoWed pur-
pose of halting the boycott by the Chi
nese. will presently end her military
activities and seek to consolidate her
gains. A minority view was that Japan
has designs on a large share OF emma
in addition to Manchuria and also that
she is getting ready to strike at Russia
This latter view was expressed by mem
bers sympathetic to Russia. 1t proceeds
from the contention that Japan is TAX
ing advantage of Russia'S preoccupa-
ton with her f1ve-year industrial pro-
gram to annex Manchuria and get her
self in a position to dispute control OF
Northeastern Asia with the Soviet.
Under the surface of open congress
sional comment is to be found ap-
prehension that France is encouraging
japan. Certain Senators assume ia
pan would never have taken her pres
ent course If rot confident of some
European backing They think France
is seeking to expand her territory IN
Southeastern China, that France largely
dominates the. policy Of the League OF
Nations and conclude that this accounts
fer the Leagues having been ineffec-
tive in this crisis. These Senators be-
lieve, moreover, that the British gov
ernment has to some degree favored
Japan over China, and that this ha;
operated against effective action by the
League in restraint of Japan, but that
the seething condition Of India has
made England hesitate to get into the
Far Eastern difficulty.
! Among public men, both at the Capt.
tol and elsewhere, speculation is to be
hard uhether the United States will