The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-03
Minneapolis TribliucJ

The talk III mn economic boycott Of
Japan ~ enforce peace in Manchuria
persists. strangely enough. even while
the flames III war ctacklc through The
far east We are still asked IN believe.
IN the face III an overwhelming mass
III evidence ~ the contrary. that the
nations ri the world ARE ready aud
eager w make tho sacrifices which s;
boycott would Involve for the sake III
restoring order in Manchura. The
no nation has tho slightest desire 10
make those sacrifices. and that the
idea nj general boycott Of Japan has
nsver been anything more than n
beautiful theory which no ono really
cared ~ sec put into practice.
The idea of II boycott has been
mullcd over nUw for weeks. II tho
League of Nations had sincerely b.
lcved In the efficacy of the boycott.
Or II The league members had been
sincerely anxious To ALLEVIATE japan
ESQ trade In the interests of peace. IT.
would have been IL comparatively
simple matter TO clamp the lid down
tight on japan That Bin0- Japanese
difficulties have been permitted 10
drag along for months and finally
enter the stage Of actual conflict
without any such steps being taken
offers rather conclusive evidence Of
The fact that the boycott as MI insLru-
tnent Ut peace. while something to
be- talked about In lofty and unselfish
terms. In not very highly regarded
among tho nations when the actually
looms straight ahead.
II Is not particularly difficult TO I'M
derytnnd why this !. 80. In the case
OF the United States tn cite one cx-
ample. the participation tn Il general
boycott 1T Japan would mean the cut
ting off Of trade relationships with II
nation which bought American good
to the value Ut 4ta7 600. 600 during tho
first II months Of 1881. 70 tho Amer
lean cotton grower. 1t would mean the
alienation Ut Il customer which took
ons-fourth Of all tho cotton exports
from the United States last year. The
elimination III tho Japanese market
would deal severe blow To the Amer
lean steel industry. H. would have ntl
immediate and serious repcrcussion II,
tho American a,,tomotivo industry
Tho factories which make machinery
for tho Japanese market would b.
hard hit. and tho silk industry In this
country. with only about months
supply Of raw silk OIL hand, would
shortly feel the paralyxing effect 81
any boycott IN which the United
States participated.
The objection may DO raised that Il
II cold blooded and fnateriGl!stlc te
weigh such trade sacrifices against
the possibility Of restoring peace In
Manchuria, yet II n just Al vol Il
recognise the fact that most nation
are not swayed by humanitarian i'm.
pulses when such impulses run cotn.
ter 70 their best commercial interests
Tho theory OF m economic boycott Il
unsound because tho economic boy,
colt Ii 4 dangerous weapon which cut
In more than one direction. The boy
} ootting nation, scarcely less than tn,
j nation boycotted. must inevitably fee
the sharp edge Of restriction. That Il
the reason tho world, which has beer
toying with the Idea OF IN economic
boycott Tor weeks while the NAnchur
Han situAtion grew steadily worse. IN
never lot the matter get beyond tn
present stage Of theory. conversation
and debate.