Evening star., 1935-12-06
Reminders to Japan.

If Toxic labored under the impression
that the Western powers are too abb
sorbed in the Italo-E Ethiopian conflict to
pay attention to what is going on in the
Far East, the Japanese militarists have
just had a rude awakening. Thursday
brought forth plain warnings that events
in North China are disquieting and dis
pleasing to both Great Britain and the
United States.
There is no acknowledged connection
between the fortnight observations by
Foreign Secretary Sir Samuel Hoare in
the House of Commons and the hardly
less pointed public statement of Secre-
tary Hull. The almost simultaneous &C
ton that took place in London and
Washington is nevertheless designed to
convince Japan that the EngliSh-speak-
ing powers, because of their extensive
interests and treaty rights in China, are
in no mood to see them ridden over
roughshod by what Sir Samuel Hoare
bluntly describes as the so-called au-
tonomy movement in North China"
The foreign secretary intimates that
Japan's present activities are causing
world suspicions at a most unpropitious
moment. In whatever form disguised,
"they lend color to the belief" Sir Samuel
says. that japanese influence is being
extended to shape Chinese internal poiit-
ical developments and administrative
arrangements" Japan is admonlshed
that this sort of thing "can only do harm
to the prestige of Japan and hamper
the development of the friendlieSt
mutual relations with her neighbors and
friends" It would be difficult to con-
ceive, despite its punctilious restraint,
of more categorical indication that
Japan's plans to create second Man
chukuo arouse grave international re-
sentiment and are capable of provoking
serious complications. The British call
for "a frank statement OF japanese
policy"
Secretary Hull, too, speaks in tones OF
moderation, but breathes the United
States deep concern over what is hap
pening" in North China. In essence his
statement is q reafirmation OF American
belief in the sanctity of treaty obliga-
tions and an expression of expectation
that they will not be impaired. There
is going on in, and with regard to, that
region" Mr.. Hull declares, "a political
struggle which is unusual and which may
have far-reaching effects but what
ever the origin, whoever the agents, be
the methods what they may, the faca
stands out that an effort is being made
and being resisted-to bring about q
substantial change in the political status
and condition of several Of China's
northern provinces"
In this period of worldwide political
unrest and economic instability, Secre-
tary Hull declares that it seems impor-
tant to the United States that govern
ments. and peoples keep faith in prin-
ciples and pledges" Without such faith,
there cannot be that confidence and
stability and sense of security essential
to orderly life and progress" 1t is in
these terms, without specifically men
tioning the nine-power treaty, that Mr..
Hull in unmistakable effect sets forth
that the autonomy movement" in China
is proceeding in violation of that pact.
1t is a timely and thoroughly justiiable
reminder to Toxic that the American
Government expects the japanese to
keep their covenanted word and halt
the depredations of their army hotspurs.
Mussolinis experiences Of the moment
should suffice to persuade Japan that
aggression on the grand scale no longer
finds the world minded to stand by
disinterestedly.