Evening star., 1932-02-28

Continued From First Page)
the present Sino-Japanese dispute For
this reason, the letter addressed by
Secretary Stimson last Thursday to
| Senator Borah was welcomed by the
| British foreign ONCE, which believes
that warning to Japan that her ef-
forts to destroy China's territorial in
tegrity will prove eventually futile, can
be more effective than a warlike meas
ure like boycott.
Must Preserve League.
France is equally unenthusiastic
about a boycott, but one must remem-
ber that Frances fundamental inter
est is to preserve the League of Ma
tions at any price. Consequently, if
the situation at Geneva were to de-
velop in such a manner that She should
have to choose between a boycott
against a friendly nation and the dis
ruption of the League, or even a COM
plete loss of faith in the League, she
will accept the boycott idea. This is
at least the opinion of the American
observers throughout Europe.
Italy and Germany, in spite OF their
comparatively large economic interests,
are reported to be favorable to boy
cott They are afraid Of being faced
in the future with an aggressive act
from some other power and are willing
to sacrifice some of their trade in
order to uphold the prestige and the
power Of the League.
The United States is, Of course, not
member Of the League and conSe-
quently she cannot attend the discus
sions which will take place at Geneva
from March 3 onward.
But our position is none the less
dificult. We realize that a declara-
ton of boycott against Japan could
be interpreted by that power as an
act Of war. Japan is a member of
the League and consequently cannot
interpret the actions of other League
members as hostile to her. The United
States will undoubtedly be invited by
the League to join in the boycott, but
there is no reason, it is said, why Japan
should not interpret, If it wishes to do
so, Americas action as an act of war.
Hence the feeling in authoritative
quarters Is that the State Department
must act with caution when it is ap-
preached by the League to adhere in
the boycott, and the Congress of the
United States will have to consider very
carefully the whole situation. On the
other hand, however, public opinion in
this country appears to be every day
stronger In favor of boycott. Nobody,
say the protagonistS of this idea. wants
a war, but 1t is uncomfortable that
Japan will single out the United States
and challenge us when it is obvious
that the whole world is against her.
War Danger Held Nil.
The chances Of Japan trying to make
out of our joining with the rest of the
world to enforce peace "casus belli"
are nil, it is said. But if we refuse
to join the other nations in the coercive
measure they think they must apply
to Japan the boycott will be completely
sponsible for the failure of the other
nations to uphold the peace pacts and
the inviolability of international
treaties.
In view OF this uncertain situation.
the discussions at Geneva next week
are likely to be protracted.
If the smaller nations, after having
gained Frances support, want to en-
force boycott. the first step thev have
to take is to apply Article XIV of the
covenant, which requires the Council
OF the League 70 issue a warning to
Japan to cease hoSitilities and submit
the case to the League, under penalty
of some drastic measures being taken
against her. If Japan refuses to obey
the Councils injunction, the Assembly
will require the Council to adopt a boy
colt against the offending power.
To adopt the boycott measure It is
necessary to have the unanimous con-
sent of the Council and a majority vote
Of the Assembly. Naturally. neither of
the belligerents IS allowed to vote.
II things go that far, it is believed
that Great Britain, opposed as she is to
the boycott idea. viii be compelled 10
vote win the rest Of The powers and the