Evening star., 1937-10-08
No Conference Here!

diplomatic exchanges are under Wav
between the United States and other
nine-power treaty governments, pri-
marty Great Britain and France, with
view to convocation of a conference to
consider Japan's aggression in China.
The proposed parley is the outgrowth of
the League of Nations action in brand
ing Japan treaty-breaker and calling
Tor her chastisement, Conclusions" in
which the American Government has
formally concurred.
London cables report that the United
States is being sounded as to the ad-
visibility Of holding the conference at
Washington, birthplace in 1922 OF the
hl-starred agreement which sought to
guarantee the territorial integrity and
political independence of China. Anglo
French officials do not conceal their
preference Of this capital as the ap-
propriate scene of discussions fraught
with momentous possibilities for war
or peace.
From many standpoints, the convening
OF the treaty states-Britain, France,
Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portu-
gal, Japan, China and ourselves-on our
soil would be undesirable and unWel-
come. 1t would thrust this country auto
matically into a position of quasi-re-
sponsibility for conference results, espec-
tally If they should lead to war as
the consequence Of economic sanctions
against Japan. AS chief diplomatic
officer OF the host nation, Secretary
Hull. in accordance with custom would
be invited to be chairman of the parley.
He can hardly be blamed If he shuns
such an addition to the honors he
already bears.
The American public, eternally vigi-
liant on the score Of foreign entangle-
ments, is prompt to discern in Europe's
anxiety to have us sponsor Japan
dlsciplining nine-power conference an
eagerness to cast us In the role OF re-
triever OF old world chestnuts from the
Far Eastern fire. Senator Borah at
Boise yesterday reflected widespread
American view, current now not for the
first time, that it is particularly our
British friends who seek to make Uncle
Sam the goat. The Idahoan may have
been staying up nights with a new book
entitled England Expects Every Amer
lean to Do His Duty" One need not
identify ones self with the many soph-
tstries and prejudices of Mr.. Quincy
Howes volume to understand American
reluctance to fall into international
traps at this critical hour.
Japan cherishes too many American
erudges, real and fancied, to warrant the
totally unnecessary risk of inviting her
vengeance anew by seeming to lead the
band of her challengers at this tim
Japanese grievances against the United
States ramify back a full generation.
They date from 1905, when this country.
under another President Roosevelt, was
chiefly responsible for inducing Japan to
make what she regarded an improbable
peace with Russia. In 1907 the Wash
ington Government was in the forefront
OF the international protest against
annexation of Korea In 19O8-1O Amer
lean capitalists incurred Tokio's high
displeasure by seeking to bring about
Observation-Disclosures of the South Man.
churia Railway. From 1914 to 1919
Americans were foremost in criticizing
Japanese occupation of Shantung. and.
In 1921, at the Washington conference
the United States finally effected the
provinces restitution to China.
In 1915, our protests were loudest
In denunciation of Japan's famous
"Twenty-One Demands" which en-
bodied the domination of China now in
progress. In 1888 this country left
no stone unturned to discourage
Japanese occupation of Siberia. In
1921, on Americas initiative, the Wash
lngton conference was held, resulting in
limitation of the Japanese navy to g.
b-5 ratio of inferiority Wis a Wis Great
Britain and the United States and in
the nine-power treaty pledging Japan
and other signatories to respect China's
sovereignty. In 1924 Congress passed
the obnoxious law excluding Japanese
immigration. In 1882 Secretary Stimson
sought to induce Great Britain to join
In protesting the occupation Of Man.
churia. and, when Sir John Simon's
devious diplomacy frustrated action
which might have averted today's
calamitous mess, America was left to
oppose Japan's course single-handed.
This is the record, rightly or wrongly,
which persuades the Japanese people
that America is the one nation that
stands squarely across the path leading
70 the realization of their ambitions.
It Is not only uncalled for, but 1t would
bs wantonly foolish, that the United
States should now { any more than
4 has already done "a irritate = great