The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-28

There were no indications
that the United States would
take any action as the result
of Japan's occupation.
Press dispatches from the trouble
zone were so full of forebodinr
that officials. working gravely
under great tension, spoke with ex-
IRENE caution.
Serious Crisis Faced
There was a feeling among many
that a new crisis, possibly the most
threatening since the World war,
impended.
Press dispatches hourly reported
landing OF more Japanese marines
at Shanghai, announcement by
Japanese authorities that they had
shelled the forts of Woosung, near
Shanghai, sand finally japanese
occupation of the native section of
Shanghai, with savage fighting.
officials had no information that
japanese forces intended to occupy
the international settlement, or to
interfere with international trade.
Nevertheless, the United States
was somewhat disturbed over the
possibility that military action in
the native quarter might spread to
the international settlement or in
some way e%ndanger foreign lives.
People of many nations are
interpreted throughout the entire
port of Shanghai. Few parts of
the city are inhabited exclusively
by Chinese.
Worked for Peace
Pursuing a peaceful course, the
United States has, from the start
of the Manchurian trouble, sought
to impress upon Japan the wisdom
of keeping within the Kellogg anti
wal pact and the nine-poWer treaty,
which guarantees the territorial in
tegrity of China.
But almost daily Japan has adj
vanced her forces. She has occu-
pied all of Manchuria, a vast area
comparable to the American middle
west. an invaluable source of food,
fertilizer, minerals and trade, which
Japan regards as necessary to her
national existence.
Now she is striking at the heart
of China proper. Shanghai is the
New York of China, its commercial
metropolis, and the gateway to the
vast interior. Beyond, up the river,
lies Marking. the capital.
Thus Japan today stands ready to
close her grasp around the two vital
spots OF the huge, chaotic, seething
nation which constitutes one of the
tremendous potential markets of the
world, and lies at the moment an
easy prey to any sword.
Pressure May Be Applied
On the other side are the major
world powers, particularly the
United States, the champion for a
third of a century of the open
door policy" 1t is almost second to
the Monroe doctrine as a foundation
stone of American policy.
It's purpose is to protect weak
China from grasping hands and pre-
serve it as a free trading area for
the world.
The United States is discussing
with Great Britain the possibility of
economic pressure to check Japan's
threatened assault. Great Britain.
apparently, is reluctant to act.
This nraccI1ro pofChf kal-- - r
several forms. A shutting of of
purchases, America being one of
Japan's best customers, might be
one. 1t might take the form of an
embargo on exports, for Japan
would have to look to the United
States for purchase of many sup
plies in event of protracted and
large-scale military operations.
Might Halt Credit
II also might invoke shutting of
OF credit. Japan, recently forced
TO abandon the gold standard. must
have outside financial aid to main
tain any such pace of expenditure
as a vast war would call for.
Congress felt grave apprehension
over the situation. Representative
Morton Hull rep, I'D recently
introduced a bill empowering the
President to declare an embargo as
a mean OF exerting economic pres
sure on a recalcitrant nation. He
told the United Press today he
would not press this measure un-
less the administration desired.
Il don't intend tce press it unless
the state department, X the Presi-
dent indicates some DC ire for ac-
tion,' he said. Il believe they are
reluctant to go into the matter at
this time"
Discussion of such possible action
already has brought from Japan