Evening star., 1934-04-28
Japan Stands Pat.

IlCtlOH LIldL tle OrlSlNdl INdlllleStO Ol
the Toxic foreign Office on April IT
lacked official authority, Foreign
Minister Hirota yesterday supplied the
British and American Ambassadors
with formal written memoranda.
These were forthcoming in response
to requests from the London and
Washington governments for an off,
cial text of statements by the foreign
office spokesman earlier in the month
in effect warning western powers
against activities in China that were
likely to disturb the peace Of Eastern
Asia.
Toxic news cables reflect the jap
anese view that Foreign Minister
Hirotas more formal communication
should assure the United States and
Great Britain regarding their respec-
tive rights in China and show that
Japan has no intention of overriding
them. Toxic expresses the official
hope" that the incident will now be
regarded as closed.
That is an exceedingly optimistic
hope and one that can only be real
lied in the light of future events.
Designed on its face, no doubt, to be
conciliatory, the Hirota statement in
fact about leaves matters where they
were before. 1t declares that Japan
has no wish to impair the nde-
pendence, interests or prosperity OF
China" Whether with unconscious
irony or otherwise, the Japanese note
in the very next phrase asks the pow
ers to recognize the fair and free
actions" of Manchukuo. Neither in
that country" nor in China. Japan
blandly goes on to say, has she amy
territorial ambitions"
Continuing, Mr.. Hirota asserts that
Japan has mo intention to interfere
with the interests of third parties" in
China, to deviate from the policy OF
the open door, or to infringe treaties.
Then follow passages which almost
textually reafhrm the japanese posi-
ton which has aroused world resent
ment: Japan objects to any action
whatsoever by other powers that may
lead to disturbance Of peace and Or
der in Eastern Asia. Japan bears
the responsibility for maintenance OF
peace and order in Asia with other
Asiatic powers, especially China. The
time has passed when other powers,
or the League, can exercise their poll
cies only for the exploitation OF
China"
There is little or nothing in these
OBVIOUSLY diplomatic passages to re-
move the outside worlds suspicion
that Japan means to set herself up
as the supreme, if not the sole, arbiter
of Far Eastern, especially Chinese,
destinies. Her language is easily
capable of that Interpretation. Prob
ably it will henceforth be the purpose
and policy of Western powers viglant-
ly to observe whether Japan lives up
to the letter, as well as the purported
spirit, of this Official restatement
and clarification of policy. The out
side world, in other words, will remain
on the lookout for anything in the
form of concrete, overt acts by Japan
violative of the principles to which
she now processes allegiance. Toxic
craftsmanship must be conscious by
this time that the West will not stand
by indefinitely with folded arms and
see its duly sanctioned treaty rights
f1outed and trampled to death.
If Japan's "conciliatory" explana-
ton Of her attitude has accomplished
any present purpose at all, it is to
fortify the Occident's resolve that
Japan at length shall be held to
accountability. She must prove by
deeds that her fair words deserve to
be trusted.