Evening star., 1932-03-13

fidential notes were exchanged between
Toxic and Washington, the Leagues
Council met in Paris with no prac-
tical results
When Secretary Stimson was con-
vinced that the Japanese would con-
tinue their policy of expansion in China
and not one of protecting their local
interests in Manchuria, he became Seri-
ously worried. 1t appeared to him as
well as the rest Of the administration
that the Japanese we're following a well
determined plan of sealing up China
against any commercial intrusion on the
part Of any other outside nation. This
was a serious menace not only to our
important interests in the Far East,
but also to the whole policy this coun-
try was fighting for ever since the end
OF the World War--a policy of peace
expressed by the succeeding American
administrations again and again in the
nine-power pact, the four-power pact,
and. finally, in the Kellogg BRAND pact.
Since the big powers directly interest
ed in the Far East did not seem anxious
to take the first step and bring japan
to the realization of what she was
doing, Mr.. Stimson sent his note of
January informing Japan that what
ever gains she may obtain by force in
China they will not be recognized by
cause they would be contrary to the
treaties Japan solemnly signed since
1922
The stand of the American Govern
ment seems to have worried the Toxic
government but little, principally be-
cause the other powers, Britain, Italy
and France did not follow our example
On the contrary, the passive attitude
Of the European powers appears to have
encouraged Japan to do something
more
Powers Move Quickly.
On January 23 Japan attacked
Shanghai, the most important port in
China, from the commerce and inter-
national point of view. The powers
moved this time quicker. but merely to
defend the life and property of their
nationals in the International Settle
ment. In spite Of an alleged under
standing with Great Britain, we ap-
peared in the eyes Of the Japanese as
completely isolated.
The third phase Of our policy toward
the Sino-Japanese conflict developed
The State Department realized that
Japan considered treaties. and especial
ly the nine-power pact and the Kellogg
pact, as scraps Of paper Secretary
Stinson In letter, addressed officially
to Senator Borah. but in fact to Japan
said In the plainest possible language
that II one treaty is scrap Of paper
the others must be, too, and consequent
ly If the nine-power pact which guar
antees China's territorial and admins
trative integrity Is disregarded. the
our-power pact and the naval pact OF
1922 will have to be reconsidered, too
And with this, our case In regard
to Japan rested. The State Department
has pegged Americas claims in the
Far East regarding equal trade op-
portunities in China by the note OF
January and Secretary Stimson's let
ter to Senator Borah. The administra-
| ton is determined to stick by the prin-
ciples laid down in those two COM
munications. Until Friday, however. il
appeared that We were fighting alone:
that no other country would risk taking
/ stand similar to ours and the japanese
thought that Europe, busy with so many
other problems, would leave us isolated
Position Strengthened.
1t consequently was pleasant sur
prise for our diplomats and. II is re-
POibcN, ga dllHlCdBdHb LOT LIE
Japanese foreign offlce. to find that the
civilized world has followed the foot
steps Of the American Government by
adopting integrally the Stimson note OF
January 7.
Our diplomatic position Is much
strengthened. Last week we appeared
to be isolated; today we have the worlc
with US. How long 1t will stay Is a diff
ferent question. however. The small
nations which have no direct interest
in the Far East will undoubtedly con-
tinue to stand by us, because our poiti-
cal theory Of preventing the old bully
ing of weak countries by powerful ma :
tions suits them. Whether the big ma
tions which will be called in the last
resort to enforce the injunction passed
at Geneva last Friday will be willing tC
/ jeopardiZe their relations with Japar
and face trade losses In order to main
/ tain the principle Of the sanctity OF
pacts is a very different matter.