The Coolidge examiner., 1932-02-05
u. s. SHIPS AT SHANGHAI

...~ are beginning to think seriously of what the
~ consequences might be should this country be
suddenly drawn into conflict
The press of the state and nation has ex-
pressed opinions what the United States at
titude should be whether it should continue to
be one of splendid isolation one of watch
. r. full preparedness and cooperation with other
g. leading world powers. The latter seems to be
popular.
~ The overwhelming sentiment of Arizonans
and Americans in general is for peace No
one who went through the World War, whether
-, on the battlefield in training camps or at home
wants
The American people have been educated
. =. ieither by experience schooling that war is
the greatest of all evils not only because of the
useless loss of human life and of property While
- it RACES but because of its after effects OF
crime, lawlessness, povety and economic dis
fr tress.
- The average American citizen is jealous of
30 his honor too and even in spite of his education
toward peace, will fight, hard and effectively
= >ynwhen the occasion requires With the present
d means of almost instant communication, the en-
tire nation, young and old, is keeping in close
touch with the rSino-Japanese situation and
IN forming opinions one way or another
1t is interesting to note that the sentiment
is almost 100 per cent IN favor of the Chinese
position, not because of likes or dslikes for or
ga,g against country compared with the other,
III but because the American sense of justice sees
Japan, without apparent excuse, slaughtering
innocent women and children in Shanghai under
>, pretext of ferreting out antJapanese societies
which are encouraging the boycott against
Japanses goods
a. The American sees Japan, crowded for
room, expanding by force of arms into Man
sk churia and China proper without being con-
"' tent to let the existing governments in those
countries assume control of the Japanese popu-
lationt there and with apparent disregard for
"a the rights of the Chinese people
. The ordering of American battleshps and
troops to Shanghai is precautionary measure,
to protect American lives and property. Be-
cause of their presence in the Chinese harbor
however, the situation will remain delicate.
Should Japan other nation, by mis-
-. take or intent, attack Americans in China
this nation would almost of necessity be drawn
into an armed conflict.
There is need, in times of such stress, for
our leaders to withdraw from the heat of senti
ment and emotion and look upon critical situa-
-, tions in the light of impartial logic Ult:-
mate results of mixing in the Far East should
ri = be kept in mind constantly by our admnistra-
sars ton leaders
AS the situation now stands, the United
States has nothing to gan by getting mixed
up in the Shanghai warfare. Mere protection
of our lives and property in that city should
be the sole objective of our presence there.
But the United States has everything to
gain by using diplomacy in dealing with other
countries, especially those of Europe, who
- might sooner or later be drawn into conflict
in the Far East
Our commercial interests in the war
center at present small. Should other
:; large nations become involved our interests
would be large. To. insure our commercial
u p protection should be in closest possible
Z touch with those powers
The surest way to avoid conflict of arms is
for the United States to take the advice of its
military and naval leaders to build up our
land and sea forces on par with those of the
- other major nations, and be ready for any
exgency.
asa Just the mongrel is afraid to attack
al the thoroughbred fighting bulldog, so another
nation would be cautious in offending the
mite ofoc hor 1ood opIc