Evening star., 1937-09-05
u. S. TAKES A FIRM STAND
AGAINST .JAPAN'S SEIZURES
Interests of America in Pacific Will Not
Be Allowed to Disappear in
Face of "Desperadoes.''

Toxic leaders have been warned Of
Washington's concern for the safety
OF our nationals and their interests in
the Far Eastern zones where the Jap
anese flag is now flying. We want
nothing but fair play. which we know
we cannot get under Japan's pres
ent regime. While Japan Industrial
lists and exporters are enjoying an
equal trading opportunity. in all
parts Of the world; while their ships,
loaded with cheap goods, enter un-
hampered into South American and
our own ports, American business
men are handicapped by all kinds Of
lrksome rules, regulations and re-
strlctions whenever they deal with
countries under japanese jurisdiction.
That this is bound to be extend
ed in the event Japan widens her
control over Chinese territory seems
foregone conclusion.
Under these circumstances the ad-
miniStration has carefully deliher-
ated its policy IL the present Sino-
Japanese conflict.
There are only two possible paths:
l. To accept any accomplished fact
With which Japan might confront US
and get out of the Far East alto
gether; 2. to remain there regardless
OF any action the japanese might take
and preserve with all the might at our
disposal the rights and the privi-
legeS of the American citizens in
China.
That the second policy has been
adopted seems clear at the present
moment.
reservations"
Mr.. Hull sent out his IA points.
Japan, together with the other ma
tons of the world, cabled its ac-
ceptance of these principles with
reservations regarding the particular
situation in the Far East"
When the Shanghai troubles began.
the administration officially an
nounced that the chief concern Of
this Government is the safety of
American lives and property and that
all its efforts tend to offer that secu-
rity to our nationals" in that war
ridden port. But the dispatch Of
another regiment of Marines to
Shanghai indicates that even if most
of the Americans are evacuated, the
United States police force will remain
there to protect the investments of its
citizens
On August % Secretary Hull made
another press Statement-he prefers
that type OF diplomacy to the note
sending method of the more dynamic
Secretary Stimson-that "the interests
OF the United States in the present
unfortunate conflict in the Far East
go far beyond the immediate question
of the nationals and interests of the
United States" At the same time he
rejected the japanese contention that
his IA points are not applicable to the
Far Eastern situation, by stating:
I'VE consider them applicable through
out the world, in the Pacific area as
elsewhere and embrace the
principles embodied in many treaties,
including the Washington Conference
treaties (of 1922 and the Kellogg
oAAoiiO poll Ol TdllS.
Arbitrary Blockade.
In this manner, by means of press
statements and in private diplomatic
talks between Ambassador Joseph
Grew and the japanese foreign secre-
tary, Mr.. Hull is informing the Amer
lean public and the japanese govern
ment that the administration refuses
to consider the japanese military
Clique as law unto itself. Unless
definite stand is made against the
political desperadoes' there is no tell
ing what may happen in the future.
And they are too effective in shaping
action for the Government of this
country to ignore.
Whether the japanese government
will understand the pacific motives
which underlie these warnings and
suggestions remains to be seen. The
test may come soon, possibly before
this article is printed.
The japanese admiral commanding
the squadron in the China seas has
declared a blockade Of the Chinese
foi w. AAAAo o4oNhdllN, ~ appears from
the somewhat obscure statements
from Shanghai. will be applied only
to Chinese vessels But there have
been unofficial intimations that they
may be applied also against foreign
vessels carrying war material to
China. AS long as there is no formal
declaration Of war, the action of the
Japanese admiral will be considered
by all the nations concerned as arbi-
trary and treated as such.
American, British and French naval
forces stationed in the Far East will
not hesitate to protect their merchant
men against such arbitrary action
commanding admirals may be empoW
cred to send destroyers to convoy their
ships into the safety Of the harbors
IN the event that Japanese man-of-
war decides to stop, against interna-
tlonal law and regulations, a ship f1v-
ing the American, British or French
nag 1t is easy to foresee the result. It
Is hoped on this side of the Pacific
that the japanese will recognize the
implications of willful action. For the
United States will brook no infringe
ment upon the rights of her nationals
tCopyrigit. 1879