The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-17
LEAGUES EDICT
is TRIUMPH FOR
U. S. DIPLOMACY
Warning to Japan Against
Territorial Conquest First
Sounded by StimSon.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
scrIpps-Howard Foreign Editor

ScrIpps-Howard Foreign Editor
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-Awak-
ened at last to the menace Of an
other world war by the thunder
ing guns at Shanghai, the League
Of Nations and the United States
today were on the point Of unified
action.
The first step in the new move
for peace in the far east was the
leagues notification of Japan that
1t will refuse to recognize any
changes in China's territorial sta
tus brought about by force.
This is a feather in the cap Of
American diplomacy and confirms
the precedent set by Secretary Of
State Stimson on Jan. IA prece-
dent of the utmost Importance if
the Kellogg pact and the other
peace machinery is to survive.
The January note of the Ameri-
can government solemnly warned
Japan that it docs not intend to
recognize any situation, treaty or
agreement which may be brought
about by means contrary to the
covenants and obligations Of the
pact of Paris"
New Law It Set Up
Today, it is understood here, the
League of Nations followed suit with
a warning that it will not recognize
any territorial changes brought
about by japanese occupation.
The Importance of the confirma-
ton Of this new "Stimson doctrine"
hardly can be exaggerated. 1t not
only gives potency to the Kellogg
pact and the doctrine of the open
door," but in effect sets up a new
international law.
The Kellogg pact renounces war
as an instrument of national pol
icy. The Stimson doctrine-to
which virtually the entire world,
through the league, now appears to
have Entertainments that benefits
acquired by violation of that pact
would not be recognized by the
powers.
The leagues warning is based up
on its own covenant, rather than
upon the Kellogg pact, but that is
a mere matter of form.
Next Step Up to Japan
What the next step will be de-
ponds upon Japan. Article 10 OF
the covenant guarantees the terri
torial integrity of members. But
Articles Is and 16 provide ways
and means to make good this guar
antee, and call for severance of dip
lomatic relations, boycott and mill
tary force.
That the leagues action was de-
cided upon as result of report
from Sir John Simon, British for
eign minister, to the effect that
Britain, France, Italy and the
United States had not been able to
influence Japan, is not without sig
nificance.
Sir John, perhaps more than any
one else, has been responsible for
the do-nothing policy of the league.
He now is represented as convinced
that anything can happen, and soon,
unless Japan calls off her dogs OF
war and listens to reason.
Report Hits Nippon
The report of the leagues COM
mission, formed of consular oftl-
Gals on the spot, has shown the
gravity of the situation. 1t boldly
states that the entire offensive is
exclusively in the hands OF the
Japanese.
The United States has assured the
league of its cooperation In any
reasonable plan to put out the fire
among the powder kegs in the far
east. The transatlantic telephone
has hummed with the exchange OF
the attitude of the principal govern
mentS.
The bugaboo of Britain remains
the question of what America would
do were Article 16 Of the league in
voked and a blockade against Japan
established. The writer learns that
a resolution shortly will be intro
duced on Capitol Hill, pledging the
United States not to aid an agrees