Evening star., 1932-02-28
|ST|MSON'S NOTE
| HAILED BY BRITISH
Weekly Calls 1t Most lmpor'
tant Document of Far
Eastern Crisis.
BY Gable to The Star.

BY Gable to The Star.
LONDON, England, February az
As evidence of a strong divergence OF
British opinion either pro or anti
Japanese on the Manchurian and
Shanghai situations, which has been
sharply brought out by the catalytic
action of American Secretary of State
Henry L. Stimson's letter to Senator
William E. Borah defining the Ameri-
can policy in the Far East, the
Economist, foremost British politico-
economic weekly declares that the
Stimson letter is the most important
document on the Far Eastern crisis.
Since the crisis began-both the
British and Japanese governments
should take it to heart-the British
already have come perilously near 70
collusion with the Japanese policy in
Manchuria, according to this weekly, by
refraining from protest against the es-
tablishment of "Japan's puppet goy-
ernment." Sanctions and collective Sc
curity should be brought to bear against
Japan. which has already pilloried itself
as the aggressor at Shanghai.
Conservatism Noted.
The Economist represents enlightened
liberal opinion and comedies with the
expressions of the Manchester Guardian,
Great Britafn's foremost political daily
The British Labor party has issued a
manifesto asking the powers to with
draw their diplomatic representation
from Toxic.
Extreme conservatism, however, par
ticularly the die-hards represented by
Lord Beaverbrook, was adequately rep
resented by a fierce polemic of the
Canadian press lords last night. Eve
ming Standard.
Japan was a loyal and useful ally
in the great war" declares "A. A. b.
in feature article headed, mo Time
for Interference by Sentimentalists
If any nation comes out on top,
hope it may be Japan"
The London Daily Telegraph, more
moderately Right Wing journal, say,
that Mr.. Stimsons letter apparently
assumes" certain violations on the part
OF Japan of both the Kellogg pact and
the Washington treaties, but such
assumptions or presumptions would be
highly improper as well as inopportune
on the part Of Great Britain"
AS member of the League Of Ma
tions, according to the Telegraph, Great
Britain must await Geneva's verdict
Japan had promised to maintain the
open door and withdraw its troops as
soon as it gains security guaranty for
the lives and property of its nationals
in China and unless these assurances
are not being honored Great Britain
would not feel justified doubling the
word Of her old friend and former ally
Position Awkward.
The Telegraph adds that Mr.. Slim
sons intimation that America might
be forced to overbuild the Washington
naval treaty involves Great Britain in
the escalator clause of the London
treaty, thus creating an awkward po-
sition for Great Britain, which already
Is not building up to even the London
treaty strength.
The London Times, which endeavors
to depict the offlcial viewpoint as closely
as possible, says that Mr.. Stimson's
clear exposition Of the American policy
is received with an air of general re-
lief at the League of Nations 1t Is
definitely helpful, and the British
delegation does not disguise its salts
faction that the United States should
have given the world SO clear an in
olcation that she has no intention OF
allowing the events in the Far East tc
weaken the significance OF the nine
power treaty or the Kellogg pact"
The Times says that the Stimson
letter will greatly strengthen the posi-
ton OF the League Assembly, which
meets Thursday to pass judgment on
the Sino-Japanese affair.
stout assembly verdict, it is pre-
dicted by the best informed observers
here, will invoke no sanctions and will
merely inform Japan that the League
viii refuse to recognize the territory
1t has occupied by force. The assembly
might also request further investiga-
tory powers for the Lytton Commission,
which will arrive in Shanghai in a
few days.
Public Opinion Lukewarm.
British public opinion Is lukewarm
to an almost unbelievable point.
Japan's occupation OF Manchuria was
regarded by the great bulk of public
opinion here as not only inevitable but
even desirable. Since the Shanghai in
cident public opinion against the Japa-
nese Is sharpening, and the heroic Chi
neSe defense is winning a multitude Of
admirers in this sport country
One heroic band of idealists, includ-
ing three ministers of religion, one out
of-Work general and Lady Heath, avia-
trix, has offered form Of peace
army to throw itself unarmed before
the Japanese lines and bayonets.
But the adamant determination Of
Great Britain not to be dragged into
any war or warlike gesture and the
apparent helplessness of the League OF
Nations Is causing public opinion to
regard the -Sino-Japanese war strictly
as one for spectators.
ICopyright, 1922