The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-06-17

ence in 1922, America obtained the
right to possess the same strength
in ships Of the line as England. At
he London Conference in the year
1880, the same right was extended
to cruisers. AS a matter of fact the
strength OF the American feet at
the present time is somewhere be-
tween 60 and 10 per cent of the
British. In Washington the United
States, through the pressure Of the
dollar, succeeded in dissolving the
Anglo-Japanese alliance. America
was convinced that, through the fur
Their pressure Of the dollar, in the
question of the debts, it would in
duce England to act together with
it in the Far East. 1t had such con-
fidence in the dollar that it ne
elected to develop naval bases in the
Pacific Ocean. Americas naval
power did not extend beyond the
Hawaiian Islands; what lay beyond
was delivered over to the attacks of
Japan. Americas omissions in re-
gard to naval ornaments are not to
be attributed to any pacifist illu-
sions, but to lmbounded confidence
in the power OF the dollar.
So long as China was an open
door for all capitalists, the indie
pendence of China meant dependence
upon the dollar, as everything was
dependent upon the dollar at that
time. When, however, the dollar fell
sick, Japan annexed ManchuIia
When America declared that Japan's
action had rendered the Washington
Agreement invalid and that it would
now arm in ire Far East, it was
already too late. OF what use was
it that the Anglo-Japanese alliance
had been dissolved England avoid
ed joint action with the United
States; it would demand a high
price for doing so.
Trusting in its financial power,
America invested huge sums in Eu-
rope. In Germany alone it has in
vested 1900 million, in long-term
loans, in addition to the millions of
short term loans, and not calculat-
ing the sums invested in shares. The
United States thought: France can
rattle the sabre, we will rattle the
gold. America did not foresee the
consequences of q crisis, the impossi-
bility of creating markets for the
rationalized German industry; nor
did it realize that vast masses of the
petty bourgeoisie would be modified
under the flag of nationaliSm
America is now trembling lest the
warlike collisions which are possible
in Europe should endanger its huge
capital investments.
The United States Is fighting on
two fronts: against Japan, which
prevents its expansion in Asia, and
against England which is keenly
competing against it in South Amer
lea. In a war with England the
United States could only rely on
France, but on the other hand, ow-
ing to its investments in Germany,
it has to oppose France.
US. Drawn Into European Conflicts.
In this situation. therefore, Amer
lea Is forced to abandon its attitude
Of proud reserve and interfere in
European affairs in order, as far as
possible, to protect its interests.
Therefore America need the League
of Nations to adopt decisions which
are directed against Japan, namely,
not to recognize Manchukuo,
whereby very little was achieved. 1t
wishes now to set up an authorita-
tive body to which one can appeal in
the event Of an aggression, includ-
ing an act of aggression on the part
of Japan. Negotiations are going on
behind the scenes regarding neutral
ity and boycott. Germany is to
leave France in peace and France is
to leave Germany in peace. The
debts to America are not to be en-
dangered. Tt is probable, however,
that America hopes in these nego-
tiations to achieve something against
Japan.