The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-09

Accord on Far Eastern pol
icy is said here to be essential
before America will agree to
debt reduction.
1t is regarded as essential not be-
cause America is vitality concerned
in Manchuria as such, but because
the situation out there must be
cleared up before there can be any
assurance Of world peace.
Mere settlement of the war debt
problem, leading revisionists in con-
gress insist, will have little or no
effect on world ccoyery-Which is
the big stake America is playing Tor
without the confidence that goes
with such assurance.
Japanese Call U. s. Villain
In Japan anti-American senti-
ment is at high pitch. Public opin-
ion there apparently holds this
country to blame for whatever goes
wrong with Nippon, whether in
Manohukuo, China or Geneva. The
Japanese masses have been LED to be-
lieve that America is blocking the
road to their place in the sun"
Great Britain and France, on the
other hand, are regarded in Japan
almost as allies. Since September,
1881, these two powers have pre-
vented the League of Nations from
taking action against Japan for her
invasion of China.
Thus, while they stand ace high
in the island empire, the United
States popularity is regarded there
as sort of double-eyed villain.
America in Some Danger
The United States, therefore,
occupies a position of some danger.
A responsive populace in Japan is
being fed on war talk by their
Super-p patriots, while the general
staff of the army and navy seems
to be in complete control of ma
tional policy, both domestic and
foreign.
Meanwhile, fully cognizant of this
situation, many Europeans believe
that a war between Japan and the
United States might prove a
blessing to Europe, however fatal it
would almost certainly be to the
nations involved.
Such a conflict would wipe out
the last vestige of the foreign trade
of both countries. While they were
tearing themselves to pieces in the
most baseless and idiotic of wars,
Europe would fall heir to their
markets.
Complain of World War Profits
Both countries would require vast
quantities of war stores and services,
and Europe might enrich herself
supplying both sides.
BY holding aloof from the con-
flict, many Europeans figure they
might not only recoup their shat
tered fortunes, but settle an old
score with Japan and America into
the bargain.
Both Japan and America, Euro
peans have never ceased to com
plain, took advantage OF the World
war to coin billions out of the blood
or Europe" While Europe was busy
fighting for civilization" as some
put it, Japan and America grabbed
her foreign markets.
1t would only be poetic justice,
therefore, if the tables some day
were turned and Europe coined bill
lions while Japan and America pro-
vided the blood, tl4ey believe.
Price of Neutrality
A japanese American conflict,
military men say, would bleed both
countries white, while economists
warn that for at least a generation
they would definitely remove them
selves as EuropeS competitors in
the world of trade and commerce.
The price of Europes neutrality
# historic precedent means any
thing-at a minimum and as
starter would be cancellation of the
war debts.
Today as the cards are dealt,
therefore, the United States is at
great disadvantage, whichever way
one looks at it.
And that Europe will hesitate to
play them as they lie now seems too
much to expect.
There still is a gulf, centuries
wide. between the code OF civilized
,F 49, Isrr.,.r y