The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-27
CURB ON TOXIC
VITAL TO Save
WORLD PEACE
Sanctions, Backed by All
Powers, Declared Only
Hope for China.
U. S. IN MAJOR ROLE
Russia and League Also Are
Faced With FatefuI
Decision.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
Scripps-Howard Foreign Editor


WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Porten-
tous developments in the Far East
and at Geneva, a high-placed dip
lomat today declared to the writer
have brought the United States
Russia, and the League of Nations
to one of the most fateful cross
roads in history.
Unless sanctions of some sort are
applied to Japan, he said, and cor
responding aid lent to China, her
victim, everything thus far done to
preserve world peace and its ma
chinery will have been in vain.
Yet, even the mildest form of
sanctions-and embargo on arms
inevitably is charged with dynamite
On the other hand, if the league,
Kellogg pact and nine-poWer treaty
powers sind by while Japan dis
members China, he reminded, it
would imperil not only the present
but endanger the world for decades
to come.
Once the peace machinery is de-
stroyed, might, based upon the pos
session of superior ornaments, again
would be supreme.
Sanctions Need World Backing
Sanctions, regardless of their ma
ture, the speaker continued, must
have the backing of the world. II
undertaken by one or a group OF
powers to the exclusion of even a
single one of the more important
countries, it would be suicidal 1t
almost certainly would lead to a
still bigger war.
Full cooperation of Russia and
America was described as impera-
tive. Early recognition of the one
by the other was seen as highly de-
sirable.
For the two most powerful ma
lions outside the League of Nations
not to be on speaking terms dur
ing the touch-and-go times ahead
might Illustrate world unity, now
vital if the far eastern conf1agra-
ton is not to spread.
A general embmargo on arms
affecting both China and Japan
the authority mentioned observed,
would be worse than no embargo
at all. 1t would play directly into
the hands of the strong power, and
doom the weaker one. Japan has
sufficient arms already on hand to
wipe China from the map.
Japan has ample facilities for
manufacturing enough munitions to
carry on war, even with major
power, if the way is left open for
her to get the necessary raw ma
terials.
History in Answer
Hence the league and associated
powers squarely are up against the
problem of whether to apply Article
10 and a possible blockade.
Admittedly for the league, for the
United States and for Russia it is Q
decision of the utmost magnitude
History will be made by the answer
Clearly foreseen at the time of the
last Hoover-Roosevelt conference at
the White House, as stated in these
columns, the Chinese-Japanese
crisis has been handled since then
in close cooperation with the in
coming administration. A switch in
policy in so grave matter would be
fatal.
Secretary of State designate Cor
dell Hull publicly has announced a
Roosevelt policy of world co-opera-
ton to maintain peace, and Secre-
tary Henry L. Stimson over the
weekend cabled the league that the
United States is 'in general accord
with its handling of the problem.
Nevertheless, it was significant
that pains were taken to make no
future commitments.
What America will do, the writer
reliably is informed, depends upon a
number of factors, including the
stand taken by Britain, France, and
some of the other great powers.