The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-05-19
No War in Asia

No War in Asia
Back in the winter, it viii be re-
called, there were frequent prophe-
cies that war would break out In
Asia as soon as the weather opened
up. At that time Japan was just
completing It's conquest Of Manchuria
and the Shanghai incident was fresh
In tho worlds memory. It did seem
like trouble in plenty was clearly Wis
ible on the horizon.
That the far eastern situation still
Is a powder house Is not to be denied.
There is always the possibility that
. border incident, such as that which
occurred the other day when Rus
SLAMS fired on q Manchuoan steam
boat, will lead to serious trouble. But
both Japan and Russia are showing
. disposition to keep the peace and
the Nipponese are combining their ag-
erosion to commercial matters.
The key to the whole situation lies,
Of course, in world diplomacy-and
particularly in American diplomacy.
Russia, obviously. does not want
war, no matter how aggressive are the
statements issued from Moscow. A war
now would upset all her plans and
probably lead to the overthrow Of the
present government. Also, at least
for the time being, she Is In strong
er diplomatic position than is Japan.
The whole world looks with distrust
upon the policies of Tokyo and 1t was
this fact, as much as anything else,
which led the Roosevelt administra-
ton to recognize the Soviet Union.
BY so doing we created bulwark be-
tween ourselves and possible trouble
and strengthened the Russian posi-
ton immensely.
In case of war, access to the Amer
lean money market would be as easy
for Russia as for Japan and the re-
ception might be warmer. For, while
money has no home and knows no
sentiment, 1t is probable that heavy
loans to the Nipponese would be dis
couraged by our own government In
the interest Of national defense.
Also. world opinion Is very much
against war, even though the vari-
Gus governments are again arming
themselves to the teeth. Proof Of
this fact IS had by developments IN
the conflict between Paraguay and
Bolivia over the Gran Chaco and the
effort to put an embargo on arms
shipments.
In America there is no urge toward
war, even though various patriotic
societies are advocating adequate pre-
paredness In the event Of trouble, and
plenty Of heat looms in the offing for
the munitions makers who profit
from international conflict. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has promised full sup
port for the Nye resolution for q SEN
ate investigation Of these manufac-
turers and the disclosures may be
such as to crystalline still further the
anti-war sentiment.
Even such an organization as the
American Legion has joined in the
anti-war crusade, though many pinks
and ultra-pacifists have accused It in
the past Of fostering the war spirit.
It's stand was recently set forth in
= resolution adopted by its national
executive committee which said In
part:
1.-THE Legion now reaffirms its
demand Of many years for the
enactment Of the Universal Draft
law, which in the event of war
would conscript all of the resources
Of the nation without profit to
anyone. The Legion again ap-
peals to the public and particu-
larly to the youth Of America for
public support for this measure.
believing that Z real devotion to
frank and friendly understand
Ing between nations, IN adequate
preparedness plus the universal
draft law, taking profit out Of
war, would furnish the surest
guarantee Of . lasting peace for
the American nation"
Students Of the subject have long
contended that to take the profit out
Of war would be to reduce the de-
mand for war, and tho attempt to
revive this measure may succeed Il
the Nye committee uncovers half Of
what it intimates Is In existence Ia
prove the point.
This sentiment has. had an impor-
tant bearing upon tho situation IN
Asia. America win not finance IN.
other war for any power until The
memory q her experience IA the last
conflict grows DINNER. And until
that time comes, or the world situs.
ton changes, " are unlikely to have
any major conflicts. 70 American
opinion, . much - to anything els,
= due tie fact that the gums are not
rumbliug In northern Asia this min-