Evening star., 1933-02-26
u. s. BACKS LEAGUE
STAND ON JAPAN
Hull Approves Stimson's Note
to Geneva Voicing Amer.
lean Support.
Continued From First Page

tOOutlnueo from FIRST Hage.)
whatever changes there may be in
Americas foreign policy under the
Roosevelt administration. the Far
Eastern policy will be followed exactly
along the same lines as in the Hoover
administration.
The question OF an eventual embargo
on arms and ammunitions to Japan will
undoubtedly find America on the side
OF the members Of the League, it was
stated yesterday in well informed
quarters
1t is hoped. however. that the League
OF Nations will not resort to such q step
before other less drastic methods, futile
as they may seem at present, have been
completely exhausted. The American
Government cannot, under the present
circumstances. apply an arms embargo
on Japan without a special act Of
Congress.
Embargo Bill Pending.
Only shipment OF arms to China can
be prohibited today. There is. however,
bill before Congress authorizing the
President to apply an embargo, 1T his
discretion. but that bill has not passed
through the Congress. and the House Of
Representatives has limited 1t only to
American countries. 1t is felt, however,
that II the other nations are compelled
to declare such an embargo, either the
Dill Will be passed in its original form,
that Is to say that it will be applicable
to all countries. or If necessary, a spe-
cial bill concerning Japan alone will
have to be introduced at the special
session Of the next Congress.
Senator Hull, in his conversation with
Secretary StimSon, was fully informed
OF the gravity Of the situation in the
Far East. He is reported to have fully
shared the views of the outgoing Sec
retary that the whole situation requires
very careful handling In view Of the
many pitfalls which this country may
encounter on account Of the complex
international situation
Both men have full sense Of the heavy
responsibility; Stimson being fully
aware that it is he who has begun this
strong policy Of the United States be-
cause he thought that it was for Amer
ica's best interests. and Hull Is ready
to follow 1t for the same reasons, re-
sardless Of what the consequences NAV
De- Stimson gave Hull the whole benefit
Of his knowledge of this intricate situa-
alton.
Submits Act 10 Hoover.
Hull left the State Department at
80 pm, while Stimson walked with
Assistant Secretary James Grafton Ros
ers across the street to the White House
to submit to President Hoover what may
be the last important act of his admin
Htration.
Great Britain and France which now
appear decided to adopt a strong atti-
tude toward Japan have had in the
past hesitant policy. changing fire.
quently from an antagonistic to q
friendly attitude toward that country.
America has followed . consistent
policy-that 1t cannot recognize any
territorial conquest by the force Of
arms. The American point Of view has
been already adopted at Geneva only to
be reversed a short time afterward by
the change Of mind of the statesmen
either in Britain or in France Even
today, when the League has decided to
adopt what Is called the American
point Of view on the Far Eastern ques-
ton. there are indications that certain
important sections Of public opinion in
Great Britain disagree with the stand
taken by the British government and
are inclined to oppose any coercive
measure the League may intend to
take
According to article 10 OF the Coven-
ant Of the League. If al peaceful ef-
forts for conciliation between two men,
bers of the League fail that organiza-
ton can proceed and declare an eco
nomic and financial boycott against the
recalcitrant nation. and II such . step
is insufficient. 1t may declare 4 block
ade forbidding all its members fromh av-
ing any further intercourse with the
guilty nation. A blockade means, how
ever. the use of navy. and Great
Britain has never admitted that 1t would
put At the service of the League its
sea forces. Like all diplomatic docu-
ments. article 16 is open to interpreta-
ton and despite repeated requests from
members of the League and especially
France, Great Britain has never agreed
to give an adequate answer as to what
her attitude would be in case like the
present one.