Evening star., 1935-06-23
NEW "HANDS.OFF'' POLICY
OF u. S. PLACATES TOXIC
Internal Tension Averted i'm Chinese
Situation by Aloofness Of Big Powers,
Allaying Japan's Fears.

exchange Of notes between Mr.. Hirota
and Secretary Hull. The initiative
in this exchange of correspondence
was taken by Mr.. Hirota and the oc-
casion chosen was the presentation of
credentials at Washington by Ambas-
Sador Saito. The statement embod-
led in Mr.. Hirota's note that mo
question exists between our two
countries that Is fundamentally in
capable Of amicable solution" has
since been repeated by him In almost
every speech Of importance he has
made and in several addresses to the
Diet.
Mr.. Hull, in replying, said he would
be glad to receive through the Am
baSsador Of Japan to the United
States or the Ambassador of the
United States to Japan any sugges-
tions calculated to maintain and to
increase that friendliness and cor
diality which have constantly marked
since the conclusion Of our first treaty
the relations between our two coun-
tries"
Want Responsibility Recognized.
1t was as a follow up" that Am
baSSador Saito in the Summer of last
year suggested informally to the
State Department a series of steps
embracing the conclusion of a trade
pact between America and Japan, a
non-aggression pact, and the issuance
Of joint declaration defining re-
spective spheres Of influence. 1t Is
this last point which the japanese
have sought most keenly, namely, a
recognition of their so-called Monroe
doctrine whereby Japan is to be re-
sponsible for the peace" in East Asia.
The idea of a non-aggression pact
with the United States is almost
synonymous with the idea of a Mon
roe doctrine, the effect Of which
would be to bar America from inter-
fering in the affairs of the Far East.
Mr.. Hirota evidently meant well.
but he had to take into consideration
the desire of elements at home. The
Japanese were willing enough to have
him work to improve American-Japa-
nese relations, but without making
any concessions on the part OF Japan.
Mr.. Hirota even wanted to go to
Honolulu last Summer to meet Presi-
dent Roosevelt, but the reception
given to Ambassador Saitos proposals
had made it evident that nothing
| could be accomplished and that the
meeting could serve no useful pur-
pose.
Has No Designs on Philippines.
Coupled with the idea of a non
aggressive pact, Mr.. Hirota told the
Diet he was in agreement with pro-
posal made by Baron Sakamote
whereby Japan would join in a pact
guaranteeing the naturalization OF
the Philippines after Americas with
drawal from the islands. 1t was thi;
idea which, am told, Mr.. Hirots
still had in mind when he greeted
Gov. Gen. Murphy of the Philippines
when he passed through Japan sew
eral months ago, saying he felt nc
problems impossible of solution would
| arise between Japan and the Philip
pines. Japan has no designs on the
Philippines any more than she has
with regard to Australia. japanese
ambitions are centered on the main
land of Asia.
japanese naval officers do not be-
lieve the United States intends actu-
ally to abandon the Philippines and
they believe America will keep the
naval base there for many years.
The principal problem between the
United States and Japan at present is
the naval one. Japan will have built
I'D to the full limit Of the London
treaty by the end. of 1886, when the
| Washington and London treaties ter
| inmate. Now she Is preparing plans
for a third naval replenishment pro-
gram to be submitted to the next
session of the Diet, in December OF
January, which will carry Japan be-
yond the treaty limits after their ex-
piration, II a naval race develops
Japan intends to go about building IN
her own way, laying down types OF
small vessels best suited to her own
needs. The Japanese Navy may
build q few capital ships as replace
ments to keep up the strength Of the
washington treaty, but, apart from
this, Japan is expected to concentrate
on destroyers and particularly on sub
marines. japanese naval experts
consider that Japan's position can be
made impregnable with smaller craft
and the Japanese Navy can become
supreme in the Far East.
Resented Proximity Of Fleet.
The recent maneuvers of the Amer
ican fleet in the Western Pacific met
with suppressed resentment in Japan.
Most responsible japanese officials
showed an attitude Of indifference and
used their influence to moderate pub
lie opinion, but reports from politicians
and foreign missionaries in outlying
districts were to the effect that there
was considerable resentment among
the populace. japanese disputed the
statement of Secretary Swanson that
the maneuvers were being held 1000
1111Co 14OIA1 OoPaAAp eAAAA oSA4SA S@-SJ 49,
being held only 600 miles away. The
difference in calculation arose from
the fact that the japanese figured
the distance from the 180th meridian
to the northernmost point of the Ku-
rile Islands, which is japanese ter
ritory, while Secretary Swanson evi-
IDENTIFY figured the distance to japan
proper.
Why the japanese should have re-
sented American feet maneuvers In
the Western Pacific when the Japanese
feet unanswered last year in the re-
gion Of the japanese inundated islands
close to the Philippines without Amer
ican public opinion being even aware
of it, is one Of the paradoxes Of the
present situation In Japan, and Is fur
ther evidence Of the present sensitive
attitude Of the japanese public.
Trade Also Provides Problem.
Another dificult problem between
the two countries at present is that Of
trade. The United States fears the
competition of low-priced Japanese
products and Japan fears America