Evening star., 1937-08-26
j. S. POLICY H|NCES|
ON SEA BLOCKADE
Application of Neutrality Act
May Be Determined by
Japan's Stand.
BY the Associated Press.

F~ASJ
day that any extensive japanese
blockade of the China coast may in
fluence vitality President Roosevelt S
decision on whether to apply the neu-
trality act to the undeclared war Of
the Far East.
Informed persons said blockade in
reference with foreign shipping to
China could be recognized by neutral
governments as legal evidence that
war existed.
Thus far the American Government
has taken no action toward invocation
Of the neutrality act. apparently hold
ing the official position that despite
all the fighting war Is not legally un-
der way.
When asked about the matter at q
press conference some days ago Presi-
dent Roosevelt said Japan and China
had not formally broken of diplo-
matte relations. Only this week Sec
retary Hull in public statement
asked the two nations not to have re-
course to war to settle their differ
ences.
The Secretary Of State and the
President arranged to 60 over de-
velopments in the East at a luncheon
conference. Informed opinion was
that their discussions would deal with
these developments largely in the light
of international law.
Blockade Presents Problem.
Two developments stood forth as of
paramount importance:
First, Japan's proclamation yester-
day Of an 800-mile blockade of the
Chinese coast as applied to Chinese
shipping only and japanese Navy
spokesman's statement today that
warships patrolling may halt foreign
shipping.
Second, the wounding Of the British
Ambassador, Sir Hughe Knatchbull-
Hugessen, by gun fire, repeatedly from
japanese airplanes, while he was
motoring from Marking to Shanghai.
Secretary Hull said at his press con-
ference this Government was seeking
to assemble speedily all official facts
about the reported blockade threat.
He described as extremely regret
table and unfortunate" the wounding
OF Sir Hughe, and he said he had
received no comment from either
Japan or China concerning his state
ment Monday in which he reasserted
Americas urgent plea for hostilities to
cease.
News dispatches from Japan said
Premier Prince Fumimaro said Japan
docs not attach much importance" to
American and British efforts to halt
the conflict.
No Official Notification.
Neither from Japan nor from Amer
ican consular officials, Hull said, has
the State Department received any no.
tiflcation Of blockade orders. Ameri-
can consular of1cials have conveyed
to him press reports on the subject
current In Shanghai, but he said in
formation thus gained was the same as
that carried in the American press.
Asked whether 1t WAS not true that
under international law blockade
would be legal only in event Of formal
declaration of war, Hull said he was
not attempting to answer this legal
question.
The American Government, he de-
clared, so far has no additional rep
resentations to make In appealing to
China and Japan to cease hostilities.
He added he knew Of nothing more
this Government could do other than
it has done to>urge peaceful negotia-
tions and to evacuate its nationals
from Shanghai.
Trade Effect Studied.
While the State Department studied
Sino-Japanese developments carefully
with view to their general interna-
tional significance the Agriculture De-
partment looked them over for their
effect on trade and reported the con-
dict probably would upset the cotton
textile industry in both China and
japan.