The Indianapolis times., 1932-01-29
America and Britain Join to
Protect Property and
Life in Shanghai.
CHALLENGE TO JAPAN
Hoover and Cabinet Dis
! cuSs PeriIouS Situation in
Long Session.
By United Press

DU CHtttW Ittoo
WASHINGTON, Jan. 90. - The
American government was moving
today to protect American lives and
property in Shanghai should they
be menaced by Japanese bombs and
fighting.
Great Britain informed this gov
ernment that she would join hands
with the United States in making
representations to Japan, and sent
a note to Japan stating its position.
This word was given by Sir Ron
aid Lindsay, British ambassador. to
Secretary of State Stimson, who i'm
mediately carried the information
to the cabinet meeting at the White
House, where all aspects of the
crisis we're being. considered.
1t was one of the most hopefuI
developments of the crisis. 1t en-
couraged American officials to be-
lieve that Japan would not be will
ing to challenge the united opposi-
ton of the two leading naval pow
erS.
Hold Long Cabinet Meeting
President Hoover and his cabinet
met for more than two hours this
morning-the longest cabinet meet
ing held in many months. 1t was
known they devoted considerable
discussion to the Chinese situation.
The danger of complications was
impressed forcibly upon Washing
ton by news that Japanese plane
had bombed an American mission
ary institution, the Young Allen
Memorial home, in the heart of the
international settlement, where
5000 American citizens reside.
This government regards the
bombing of unfortified cities as the
most extreme of military actions.
to be deprecated even in time of
war. Secretary StimSon so told the
Japanese government in almost
those words a few weeks ago when
they bombed an unfortified Man
churian city.
Situation Is Dangerous
Government reports from the bat
tie zone pictured a situation which
observers regarded as freighted
with danger. Colonel R. S. Hooker,
in command of American marines,
in Shanghai, reported two Japanese
armored cars attempted to pass
into the international settlement,
but were halted.
Hooker also reported the japanese
consulate within the settlement was
damaged slightly by small bomb.
Hooker reported there were five
instances in which Japanese air.
plans dropped bombs within the il
ternational settlement in Thurs
days fighting. One Chinese woman
was killed.
Not only is the American policy of
maintaining the open door and the
sanctity of the Kellogg anti-war
pact and the nine-power treaty for
protection of China at stake, but
more Immediately is the necessity of
checking such Japanese battle ac-
tivities, which would directly men
ace lives of innocent Americans
within the treaty protected interna-
tional settlement.
Japan Grows Belder
British assurances of cooperation
apparently will enable the two
powers to combine in mobilizing the
weight of moral opinion against
Japan.
Secretary Stimson's efforts to do
this during the daily advance of
the Japanese in their conquest of
Manchuria were entirely futile.
In face Of them, Japan has now
struck at the throat of China
proper, an action much bolder and
coming closer to infringement of
rights of other nations than any,
thing she has done in ManchIIria