Evening star., 1933-02-28
EMBARGO OFFSETS
| ACTION OF LEAGUE
British Ban on Arms Ship
ments Regarded as Pro-
Japanese Victory.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
Whatever moral effect the adoption
Of the Lytton report by the League Of
Nations may have had on Japan. it has
been completely obliterated by the
declaration Of an embargo on the ex-
port of arms to the Far East by the
British government.
The action of the British government
has produced a painful impression in
political and diplomatic circles in WASH
ington. where Great Britain's policy was
compared with Penelope'S embroidery
whatever Macdonald achieves one day,
Sir John Simon destroys the next.
After a good deal Of trouble, the Brit
ish premier seemed to have carried the
day two weeks ago when the British
cabinet appeared to have yielded to the
MacDonald-B Baldwin combination and
seemed to lean toward policy of closer
cooperation in every political field with
the United States.
Didn't Accept Defeat.
Sir John Simon and Neville Cham
berlain did not accept their defeat.
AhSy i-PASoNllt tlIdI 4Oly SCCllOLl III
England which is still unreconciled with
the idea that under the pressure Of the
United States Great Britain was forced
In 1922 to give up her alliance with
Japan. While the liberal elements in
Britain were glad Ito have escaped a
cumbersome alliance, the die-hard ele-
mentS considered this as a diplomatic
defeat of their country and have always
been hoping that circumstances would
permit renewal of the old close rela-
tlons between the two empires
The decision of the British govern
ment to enforce a blockade on the eX-
port of arms and ammunition to the
Far East is interpreted here as a victory
for, the pro-Japanese elements in Great
Britain.
Such blockade can help only Japan
to the detrjment of China.
The embargo is being enforced only
on future orders from both countries
Three Years Preparation.
The situation is as follows: Japan
has been preparing for war for the last
three years. Important orders have
been placed in all the European arms
factories and especially with the British
firm, Armstrong -Vickers Everything
Japan had ordered from Creuzot the
French arms factory, and Skoda, the
Czechoslovak factory, has already
reached Japan.
The balance of the Japanese order.
which has been placed with Vickers, is
either in process of delivery or will be
ready for delivery within the next few
months. The British embargo cannot
consequently embarass Japan.
China, lacking funds and disor-
ganized, has ordered only comparatively
little from Europe. The Chinese re-
lied on their Nationals abroad to
eventual war, and these were slow in
supporting their government because
they believed that the League of Ma
tons action would eventually force
Japan either to withdraw from Man.
churia or at least to localize the con-
fiict to that province.
Very few Chinese thought, few
months ago, that the Japanese would
actually go to Peiping and Tientsin and
possibly to Shantung and Nanking
Even II some Of their leaders told them
SO, they were not believed The danger
did not seem sufficiently imminent to
induce them to loosen up the strings
OF their purses and help their native
country. The arguments of the repre-
sentatives from Nanking were usually
interpreted as an attempt to get more
money out OF them, SO that the officials
OF the Chinese government could get
something for themselves.
When the danger of Japan waging
war against China in the very heart
OF the country, became imminent these
merchants became more willing to help
their country financially. but the orders
placed by the Chinese, mainly in Great
Britain, were comparatively small Now
I'm no 0sv1t nfl
declaring war on China and prepared
to carry that war into China proper,
the Chinese government and its wealthy
cltlZenS abroad are willing to spend
more money, but the embargo placed
on the license for arms export from
Great Britain is affecting them directly,
and they will not be able to obtain what
they need.
1t is unknown what attitude France
VIII take in this situation. In France,
as In Great Britain. the government
has the possibility of placing an en-
bargo on the export of arms without
Parliament being consulted.
The situation in the United States is
different. Great Britain and the other
nations which are arms exporters have
been urging the American Government
for the last few months to join them
IN the arms embargo act.
Congress Delays Action.
This international agreement has
never been ratified by the American
Congress; consequently any embargo,
with the exception of an embargo on
the export of arms to China, must be
approved by the Congress.
In the light Of what is happening
today, it seems interesting that the
British and the other nations which
manufacture war implements have been
SO inSistent that the American Con-
gress should ratify the arms act as
soon as possible.
Secretary Stimson in his eagerness to
cooperate with the European nations
to bring about peace in the world has
drafted a bill giving the President full
power to declare an embargo at his dis
cretion. President Hoover has sent
1t with special message to the Con-
gress urging that body to give it early
consideration.
Congress has been slow about it. Ger
tain influences were brought to bear
upon both Houses from the American
arms manufacturers and also the men,
bers of Congress wanted to know more |
about it.
The House amended the act by max
ing it effective on the South American
continent. The amended act has been |
returned to the Senate, but the British
action Of yesterday is certain to cause |
the bill to be postponed until the new
Congress meets.
LABOR BACKS BORAHS STAND.