Evening star., 1936-05-17
u. 5. HITS TOXIC
| EXPANSION MOVES
Growing Concern for China's
Independence Restated
by Phillips.
Nv the Associated Press.

opposition to Japanese expansionist
activities on the Asiatic mainland yes
terday reflected Washingtons grow
ing concern for the future independ-
ence Of North China.
Discussing at his press conference
news that Japan was increasing its
military forces in that area. William
Phillips, Undersecretary Of State, di-
rected the attention Of reporters to
q recent public statement by Secre-
tary Hull indirectly reminding Japan
Of its treaty obligations in China.
Hull referred on December to
what he interpreted then As an effort
to bring about q substantial chaneS
in the political status and condition
of several of China's northern prov
:nces" through the supposedly jap
anese- -foStered autonomy movement"
there.
Necessarily Of Concern"
Unusual developments in any part
of China" he said then. are right
fully and necessarily Of concern. not
alone to the government and people
Of China, but to all Of the many pow
ers which have interests in China"
Calling attention to the nine-power
treaty under which the United States.
China, Japan and six other nations
undertook to guarantee the political
integrity of the Chinese Republic and
the maintenance of the open door"
Of commercial opportunity in that
country for all foreign nations, Hull
declared:
In the area under reference the
interests of the United States are
similar to those Of other powers. In
that area. there are located, and our
rights and obligations appertain to. q
considerable number Of American ma
tionals. some American property and
substantial American commercial and
cultural activities.
THE American Government is
therefore closely observing what Is
happening there.
Economic DisIocations."
Political disturbances and pres
sures give rise to uncertainty and mis-
giving and tend to produce economic
and social dislocations. They make
difficult the enjoyment Of treaty
rights and the fulfillment Of treaty
obligations.
1T seems to this Government most
important in this period Of world
wide political unrest and economic
instability that Government and
peoples keep faith in principles and
pledges"
Undersecretary Phillips said ex-
preston of policy still represented the
American Governments view. He de-
clined to elaborate upon 1t or to COM
ment specifically on the action OF
Japan in strengthening its garrison
in North China.
His reference to Secretary Hulls
statement was prompted by an inquiry
whether this Government had taken
steps to determine If possible viola
tion of the Boxer protocol was in
volved in the latest Japanese move.
Terms Of Protocol.
The query itself went unanswered
The protocol. concluded in 1902
| AIUSE tIlc 6OAcE FScOcIIlOLl, pcIHuItes
Japan and other world powers t
maintain forces in China necessary TO-
the protection Of diplomatic mission!
and to keep communications open be.
tween Peiping. where embassies ans
legations are maintained. and tn,
sea.
News reports were that Japanese
military strength in North China al
ready had been increased to almos
10000 soldiers.
Available information in Washing.
| ton was that 1,348 American soldier:
and Marines, 1879 French troops
1908 British and 357 Italians wer'
stationed In TientSin and Peiping
the principal North China cities.
In the case Of each country, most
Of these forces were concentrated q
| Tientsin to keep the railroad anc
telegraph lines open to Peiping.
These figures did not include tn.
American Marine brigade garrisonee
in Shanghai or the military forces o.
other foreign countries that patrol tn.
international settlement there.