Evening star., 1933-03-05
BY WILLIAM HARD,


The most acute world problem now
confronting the country-and confront
ing especially the new Secretary of
State-is the insistent question of the
possibility Of an embargo upon the
export OF munitions to the scene Of
the armed conflict In the Orient
Secretary of State Cordell Hull is
approaching that question with the
greatest cautiousness and deliberateness.
He Is not q rash, or even impulSive
man. 1t IS his disposition to study
carefully and to analyze exhaustively
before he acts. He realizes that action
IN this matter carries with it the chance
OF grave disturbances in our permanent
relations with the countries of the Far
East
Those disturbances might conceivably
be such as to take us to the verge OF
war. An embargo upon the export Of
munitions to Japan might be regarded
by the Japanese government as consti-
tuting an unfriendly. non-peaceful,
hostile gesture. The japanese govern
ment. In taking that view Of 1t, would
be able to justify itself by making
quotations from certain number Of
eminent American scholars Of inter-
national law, such as Prof. Edwin M.
Borchard Of Yale.
Secretary of State Hull Is well aware
Of the complications thus presented to
him. and 1t would seem safe to surmise
that his final decision in the matter
prehensive researches into the proposed
policies OF the principal countries Of
Europe.
The present British policy Of prevent
ing exports of British made munitions
to China. as well as to Japan, meets
here with two emphatic criticisms. The
first Is, of course, that in practice 1t
Is friendly to Japan and unfriendly to
China, for the obvious reason that
Japan can get along much better than
China can without munitions imports.
The second criticism Is more vital still.
It is based on the patent fact that
British-made munitions. though en-
bargoed for export to China and Japan,
can be shipped now to any country on
the European continent and thence
trans-shipped either to Chinese or to
Japanese territory. The British policy
thus. in the end, does not in the
slightest degree diminish the actual Op-
portunities of the British munitions
manufacturers or the actual ultimate
arrivals Of British-made munitions at
the scenes of the Chinese-Japanese
battles. The British policy is a moral
attitude. wholly devoid Of practical
consequences.
The same verdict has to be pro-
nounced-in the opinion Of most Of
Washington-upon any arms embargo
established by the edict Of any one
country alone or even by the edict OF
any group Of countries smaller than
the totality of the effective nations OF
the world Arms embargo action. to
be practical and influential, has to be
inclusively international.
It Is believed that on this point the
Roosevelt administration will entertain
the conviction felt and expressed by
the administration of Mr.. Hoover. On
February last, Secretary Of State
stimson left with the House Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs q statement, In
which he said:
"In the case Of . war between two for
eign countries the embargo would, OF
course, not be employed unless there
was general cooperation and united
opinion among the principal world
powers who could supply munitions"
In many quarters here the inquiry
thereupon arises:
In what degree will the governments
represented in the League OF Nations
at Geneva proceed to favor concerted
action against Japan?
Il Is an inquiry of much more than
academic interest to the new Secretary
Of State. Upon the answer to 1t may
depend the policy which the SECRETARY
Of State may find himself almost obliged
to pursue.
For imagine the following train Of
v.osefhIn efrr,,ySafopHARe
The League meets. Il searches ats
heart and its record. It has condemned
Japan. It has condemned her Is
vialator Of her faith to the League
and to all the countries that are MEM
bers Of the LeagNe-in tho matter OF
the obligations Of the League covenant.
The United States (the League win
note) has also condemned Japan It
has condemned her as violator Of hee
faith to the United States In the matter
Of the obligations Of the Kellogg BRAND
peace pact and most particularly and
explicitly in the matter Of the obliga-
tdons Of the nine-power treaty pledging
the preservation Of "the territorial and
political integrity Of China"
Then In the corridors Of the League
OF Nations building at 0eneve there
VIII be prolonged buzz OF convene.
tion as to how to ensure the "co.ope1a-
ton" Of tho United States In the level
ing Of "sancticns" against Japan. The
League covenant indisputably demands
that economic oskacism
and III necessary military pressure.
shah be employed against violators Of
its commitments. The League win
systematically indirectly-as 20 often
In the past-request from the United
states Government its attitude toward
"sancdous." Ths United States Gov
ernment-as 70 often IN the past-wil
diplomatically indirectly reply that It
disbelieves In "sanctions."
L win then nevertheless inevitably
occur to the League that In respect Of
one certain special sort Of sanction"
Il might well be able TO force the United
States Governments hand.
The League thereupon. let - sup
pose, declares that munitions may Be
Shiuped 70 China, the "innooent" party