Evening star., 1937-09-23


Great Britain, Japan, Belgium,
Portugal, Italy, Netherlands and
China. Pact invoked By Secretary
OF State Sttmson during Sino-
japanese undeclared lpar OF 1872,
but 1vithout effect. Demand has
arisen in United States for its use
in present instance.
By the Associated Press.
The United States and other lead
Ing signatories, employing as a me-
dium the nine-power treaty guarantee
Ing China's territorial integrity, have
begun exchanging information on
their activities with respect to the
Sino-Japanese conflict.
This was disclosed authoritatively
today while the State Department
awaited reply from Toxic to its
sharp note of protest challenging
Japan's right to bomb large Chinese
cities indiscriminately.
Views have been exchanged the
last few days by nations most con-
cerned over the Far East's undeclared
war, but there has been no indica-
tion that any intends formally to in
woke the treaty.
Presumably, such step would in
volve a call for a conference of sig
natories to consider what joint action
might be taken in the hostilities.
Responsible quarters emphasized
that no move of that character has
been made by the United States.
If any other parties to the treaty
are considering invoking it, this Gov
eminent has not been informed.
Reports from Geneva said, how
ever, that Great Britain was under
stood to be planning to invoke the
nine-power treaty as a last resort
to bring Japan to an international
conference to halt the war in China
The treaty, signed in 1922 by the
United States. Belgium. the British
Empire, China, France, Italy, Japan,
the Netherlands and Portugal. pro-
vldeS for consultation whenever a
situation arises which involves the
applications of the compact.
Keep Each Other Informed.
Under that authority, the United
States and Great Britain as well as
some of the other signatories, have
been keeping each other informed of
their rpSNopfiro yionrc NJ
Reports from Geneva that Great
Britain was considering invocation of
the treaty evoked no official comment
here. But high sources pointed out
the step might involve difficulties.
Foremost among them is the fact
that the treaty provides no machinery
for enforcing any decisions which
might be made by the signatories if a
formal conference were held.
Likewise, the almost certain refusal
of Japan to participate in such con-
sultations likely would complicate the
situation
The difficulty of obtaining an agree
ment on specific course of action
among signatories with widely diver
gent views and interests in the Far
East also is emphasized.
Proceeding Cautiously.
The one clear fact emerging from
discussions concerning the nine-power
treaty is that all governments in
Volved, and particularly the United
States, are proceeding with utmost
caution. Informed sources stressed
that much preliminary exploratory"
work must be done among the sig
natories to insure a solid front before
and if they call any formal confer
ence. Without this. it is acknowledged
there would be little hope of any
successful results.
American officials are represented
as being determined not to head
toward the diplomatic dead end which
former Secretary of State Henry L.
Stimson encountered when he sought
to call Japan to account in 1882
Tor its aggression in Manchuria
At that time, Stimson solicited the
support of Great Britain in invoking
the nine-power treaty against Japan.
When that support was not forth
coming, the American Secretarys
move failed.
Reply Being Prepared.
TOXIC, September % (R).-The