Evening star., 1937-12-26
American Interests
i'm the Far East
BY OWEN L, SCOTT.

which the Executive and members of
the Senate are wrestling. Some already
are answered, others are just being
raised.
Cordell Hull, Secretary Of State. has
told the Senate that this is not the
time to withdraw American armed
forces from China. Mr.. Roosevelt is
determined to obtain from the Japanese
Emperor definite assurances that there
will be no repetition of the affront made
by Japan to the American Nation and
that American interests in China will be
protected. There Is to be no backing
water, so far as this Government Is con-
cerned.
The firm course taken by President
Roosevelt is drawing support from every
| quarter.
But there are questions concerning
the future Of American policy in the Far
East-aside from the present alteration
with Japan-that are beginning to be
asked and that soon will be demanding
an answer. A poll of important Senators
and Representatives reveals surpris-
| ing sentiment in favor Of withdrawing
the armed forces of this Nation from
| China Both houses of Congress already
have decided that we shall give up the
Philippines in few years.
Is it OF primary concern to this Nation
to try to stop Japan In China? Are
American interests as extensive as those
| of other nations which show q desire to
follow rather than to lead in treating
with the Japanese in the Far East?
What could be accomplished by quar-
antine" Of Japan? Is there reason to ex-
pect changed American attitude toward
the future Of the Philippine Islands?
The history Of the matter is that
Americans played an important part in
opening both China and Japan to world
trade. President Roosevelts ancestors
were among the traders who established
treaty ports in China, and, for about
eighty years this country has main
tanned gunboats on the Yangtze and
armed forces in so-called treaty port
cities.
But, after all of those years and after
all of the efforts of traders, the ofdcial
figures disclose that American exports to
China do not average more than $75,-
000, 900 q year-about the cost Of one
fully equipped, first-line battleship. In
fact, exports for the first ten months of
this year were $45, ,824 900, while imports
from China were $50 363,00O American
investments in China, principally oil and
tobacco and church properties, amount to
about $3.50, 1000 900. Fewer than 1000
Americans exclusive of military forces,
reside in China. and many Of those have
been evacuated in recent months.
If China is scarcely the outlet for
American capital and American goods
that people think it to be, then aren't
the Philippines a reason for this coun-
trys deep involvement in the Far East?
Here some other facts protrude. The
United States has decided to grant un-
conditional freedom to the Philippine
Islands in 1916. There is little apparent
sentiment in Congress for backing down
on that decision. After 1916, the Navy
will have no interest in defending the
Philippines The Army believes them
to be just about impossible of defense
anyway, because they lie 1000 miles from
home and are too near Japan.
An American commission is just back
from making a study Of the ability Of
the island. economically, to make the
transition to independence.
This commission found ample resources
to support the people Of the Philippines If
the human resources proved adequate.
Some of the members reached the con-
clusion that not only could the islands
support the present population but that
they could provide living for $4,000 900
Japanese on a subsistence farming basis
and offered many of the raw materials
that Japan most needs As an invest
ment proposition, these islands looked to
the American experts as of much more
tangible value to Japan than any part of
China is likely to turn out to be.
But apparently they have no such
value to the United States.
Products of the Philippines compete
with American farm products. To pro-
tect American farmers, We now are tax
ing Philippine sugar and coconut oil i'm
ports and are returning the proceeds
about $50, ,000, 900 a year-to the islands.
Total exports of American products to
these possessions amount to about $780,
OOO,OO year, of which not more than
SIS 900 900 is profit. And then this coun-
try spends many millions to maintain an
Army post on the islands and it has spent
about 100000, 900 on Notifications.
So here again the United States seems
not to have any particular trade or eco
nomic reason for becoming deeply in
volved In Far Eastern affairs
1t is different with Great Britain,
France and Holland, all of which have
heavy investments in that area and none
Of which Is showing any intention of
sacrificing those interests. The British
are heavily involved in South China.
They could not view calmly the estab-
lishment of Japanese power. in the In
dian Ocean, what with the Germans
already problem in the North Sea and
Italy threatening In the Mediterranean.
But the British have little naval strength
in the Pacific and apparently are count
ing on the United States Navy.
All of this leaves the question Of Japan
herself. The Japanese are in very bad
way economically. Their investment In
Manchuria has gone terribly sour. The
very drain on domestic resources caused
by that 1881 adventure in imperialism is
driving the army to its present penetra-
ton OF China. And experience OF the
past has shown this isn't likely to prove
to be q profitable exploit. Rather it will
put q further strain on Japanese re-
sources.
At this stage, from q naval point of
view, there are those who think that it
would be the simplest thing in the world
for England, France and the United
States to bring Japan to her knees with
out risking much more than the Philip
pines, which already are on the road to
fndonandnrRA hA I~v,