Evening star., 1932-02-28
British Opinion Favors
StimsOn's Note to Borah
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, February 27.-Secretary Of
is a universal theme of discussion in
the British press. It is recognized in
all quarters as the most impressive
declaration yet made on the Far Eastern
situation, and the calmness and mod
Grafton of its tone deepens the gravity
of its effect on the public mind.
Comment turns mainly on two points.
The first is Mr.. Stimsonis insistence
that the nine-power treaty is only an
element in a whole series Of agreements
making for equilibrium in the Pacific
and that Japan's Reputation of that
treaty. If condoned. would result in
general upsetting Of the equilibrium.
Special significance is attached to the
reference to naval construction and the
bearing of Mr.. Stin1son'S warning upon
the washington and London naval agree
ments, the fulhllment of which inev1-
tably is imperiled by the japanese
action.
Japan's claim in her note that she
has kept within the terms of the cove
nant is, in the opinion Of the London
Times, hardly ineligible to Western
minds, in view of the fact that Japa-
nese troops began operations in Man
churia without previous notification
being made, much less consultation
being taken with the League of Ma
tionS, and that the battle began in
Shanghai in direct defiance to an urgent
appeal from Geneva. Japan'S excuse
that her action was justified because
China was not an organized people Is
dismissed as equally unintelligible, since
the nine-power treaty had no other pur-
pose than to preserve China som the
exploitation invited by her disorganized
condition.
The second aspect of the Stimson let
ter to which attention is directed is the
effect on League action and, partlcu-
larly, British policy. The failure OF
Britain to indOrse the January note
from the United States to Japan has
been adversely criticized, and liberal
opinion Is now strongly insistent that
the same mistake not be repeated.
X X
Both the London News Chronicle and
the Manchester Guardian stress the fact
that Americas declaration that in no
circumstances would she recognize ter
ritOrial or other readjustmentS brought
about in China by japanese aggression
has created a firm basis for co-opera-
ton between the United States and the
League, and the papers deplore the
fact that the League Council has taken
no advantage of this unique opportu-
nifty. The NewS-Chronicle comments
on the fact that even friendly, moder-
ate American opinion feels that Amer
tcan action in the Far East has been
hampered, with unfortunate results, by
the caution and lukeWarmneSS OF tne
European governments, not excepting
the British, and urges the necessity 1or
immediate removed of the impression.
The Times afirms that all sigma
tories relevant to the treaties are
united in a policy of preserving the
integrity of China and, while still ap-
pealing to Japan to join in the con-
structive task, indorses the terms OF
Mr.. Stimson's letter.
k
A diSsentient note comes from the
London Daily Telegraph. which, while
holding Japan responsible for the de-
plorable position in Shanghai, says that
Britain cannot subscribe to Mr.. Slim
sons presentation of the case without
qualifications based on the difference
between Manchuria and China proper,
the proVocation to Japan in the former
Chinese governments to set their house
in order This disregard for the crucial
issue of breach of treaties is character
istic of the diminishing support of
Japan in the press, and public opinion
is overwhelmingly modified in SYM
pathy with China and in favor of any
action consistent with the avoidance
Of war.
X 4 X
Interest now centers on the meeting
of the League Assembly next Thursday.
1t is not expected, especially in view
of President Hoovers attitude in re-
gard to economic pressure, that this
expedient will be urged. It is now
felt that the time when this measure
could effectively have been employed
has passed. But Mr.. Sttmson's letter
indicates the line of action which is
expected to command the approval Of
the Council and the emphatic indorse-
ment of the Assembly. The consoli-
dation of world opinion on the neces-
sity of the fulhllment Of treaty obliga-
tions, a clear verdict as to the guilt in
the present case, a reaffirmation of the
policy of the integrity of China and
Reputation of any territorial or other
interferences to that integrity are ex-
pected to be the issue Of the Assem-
bly'S discussions.
tCopyright, 1sS2.l