Imperial Valley press., 1937-09-02
THE II. S. SHOULD MAINTAIN A
NEUTRAL POSITION IN .SINO- -
JAPANESE CONFLICT? EASIER
SAID THAN DONE

An u. s. freighter carrying airplanes
and munitions TO the Chinese armies is
proceeding to Shanghai undeterred by
the presence of the japanese fleet.
Most of us want to know just chow
come we can expect to keep out of
trouble if;this goes on, especially in view
of the neutrality laws passed by the
recent session of congress which pro-
hibits shipment of arms to warning ma
tions
The answer can stand lot of inter-
eSting elucdation.
On the surface we would be inclined
to conclude as follows: Japan and China
are obviously at war. Our neutrality laws
therefore should make this ship and
others like it turn back to our harbors
and stay there.
The fact that here has been no official
declaration of war between the Far
Eastern combatants is no excuse. War
exists Now is no time to stand on tech
nicalities Let's forget puddin' headed
diplomacy and keep out of trouble, and
not be placed in the position of aiding
one or the other of the combatants in
order to make a few million dollars in
profit.
The lives of American soldiers and
the tax dollars of future generations are
too valuable to risk in return for bit
of present day "cashing in on the war.
That is the appearance on the surface.
Underneath, however, the scene is not
so simple.
To withhold shipment of arms by Am
erican ships to either nation would COM
pei that the President declare that
state of war exists. That would dictate
that no credit be granted, and that bellig-
erents-if they want our goods-come
over here and pay cash and take away
the cargoes in their own bottoms
Strangely, to do so would be to place
us in the position of an aggressor nation!
Actually, we would become an ally of
Japan in every way except name
Japan is already we'll armed. She has
S130,000,000.00 in gold deposited in the
United States with which to buy more
war goods. And she has the ships to
carry those goods.
The law would not penalize her in
the slightest, but it would cripple China
hopelessly. China is poorly armed. She
has no cash. She has no ships.
For the President to invoke the neu-
trality law would be tantamount to hand
ing Japan a victory For the President
not to invoke the neutrality law leaves
him open to the charge that he is not
neutral toward Japan.
There is final sequence to the story.
The United States, Great Britain and
Russia have been covertly friendly to-
ward China and antagonistic to Japan.
The shooting by japanese aviators, of
Great Britain's ambassador to China may
give England the opportunity she needs
for more openly showing her friendliness
for China. And the bombing of the Pres
ident Hoover, American ship, by Chi
nese aviators, may give the United States
the excuse she wants for withdrawing
from the picture. Thirdly, the pact with
Russia places the Big Bear side by side
with China.
Thus, America may now more graci-
ously invoke the neutrality laws, knowing
that China will not be unfairly injured
because England can provide ships and
credit, and Russia supply airplanes and
ammunition.
Thus America can keep out of the
trouble and not unfairly injure or help
either combatant.