Evening star., 1936-02-10
P|TTMAN, LEWIS
SEETOK|O-MOSCOW
ALLIANCE IN CHINA
Powers Would Control Con.
tinent at Expense of U. S.,
Senators Say.
ALASKA THREATENED
BY POSITION, is CHARGE
Nevadan "Astonished' at Saito's
Claim of Monroe Doctrine"
Principle in Far East.
BACKGROUND


Speaking before Rotary Club OF
Las Vegas, Neu., on December 10,
Chairman Pittmdn OF the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, tods
reported as predicting japanese
aggression toUGrd Philippines,
eventual 1Uar between Japan and
United States. TtDo days later
Ambassador Saito denied Likelihood
OF Pittmdn predictions coming
true, criticized the Senator for his
ntterances and revealed he tDds
making full report OF incident to
his government. Subsequently,
Senator Pittnlan. although declar-
inc he waS miSquoted originally,
said he Mould anS,0er japanese Am
baSsador on Senate floor.
By the Associated Press.
Japanese policy in the Far East was
sharply attacked in the Senate today
by Chairman Pittman of the Foreign
Relations Committee and Senator
Lewis, Democrat, of Illinois, who en-
visioned an alliance between Japan
and Russia for the control of Asia,
even at the expense of American in
terests.
Pittman called the Japanese pro-
ceedings in China a threat to the
United States" and vigorously assailed
utterance of japanese authorities d.
rected at the United States.
Lewis drew applause from the GAL
~, lAG @f
as he concluded his warning.
He termed the withdrawal Of Amer
lean rule in the Philippines "a great
blunder" and said the first step in
a Russo-Japanese move against this
country would be directed at Alaska.
Sees Strength Joined.
Lewis said the Russo-Japanese COM
bination would be designed to capital
lie on the naval strength of Nippon
and the army and air force of the
Soviets.
I'VE are only 18 miles from Russia" +"
he said, referring to the narrow water
barrier between Alaska and Siberia.
Declaring Japan intends to close
the door of China to America even If
war is necessary to accomplish it"
Pittman advocated naval and air
forces that would be sufficient to
protect" United States rights"
He spoke of treaties openly and
ruthlessly violated" He referred to
what he called Japanese threats" j"
"propaganda" and arrogance"
China is still an independent SOW
ereign government, at peace with the
world, and desirous of trading with
u.s." he said, land there is nothing in
the circumstances that can legally. or
long physically, interfere with such
trade"
Speech Held Significant.
Because of his high position at the
head of the Senate committee dealing
with international affairs, his speech
was regarded as certain to attract
worldwide attention.
He called on Congress to take cog
nizance" of the island empires policy
toward China, and "it's intended ef-
feet upon the United States"
Pittman declared japanese conquest
of Manchuria was in violation of the
Covenant of the League of Nations,
the Kellogg BRAND pact to outlaw
war, and the nine-power, pact"
He asserted that in asking Congress
to study the Eastern question, he had
in mind that Congress alone has the
power and the duty imposed upon it to
appropriate money for the national
defense"
Quotes Japanese Writer.
Pittman quoted japanese writer as
saying America "is ready to renounce
her traditional principle of the free
dom of the seas"
Well" the chairman declared, "the
United States does not intend to sur
render the freedom of the seas and
recognizes no jurisdiction in any
government on the high seas beyond
the 3-mile limit in time of peace"
THE pending neutrality legislation, 4"
he continued, expressly reserves and
reafdrms all of its rights under inter-
national law even in time of war.
Foreign governments may be warned
that any restrictions that the United
States may see fit to put upon its citi-
Eens in time of war will not constitute
Aany warrant for illegal treatment of
our citizens by foreign governments,
nor deprive our Government Of the
right to take any action it sees fit,
voluntarily. on behalf of its citizens" I"
"Astonished" BY Saito's Claims.
Pittman declared he was aston
ished" that Hirosi Saito, Japanese Am
,bassador, should attempt to create
the impression in our country that
Japan's doctrine with relation te
China is similar to our Monroe Doc
trine."
"Such doctrines may have similarity
as to the threat implied against for
eign conquest, but under the Monroe
Doctrine we did not arrogate to our
selves the right Of conquest or domi-
nation in the Americas.
v I'VE are seeking to preserve the
republics of Latin America, not des-
troy them.
There Is, however, q Monroe Doc.
trine applicable to China, which
(See PITTMAN, Page -