Montana labor news., 1937-09-23

the law has given voice to cries of Invoke
the Nine Power Treaty" which are being
raised by certain sections of the press and by
various groups with economic and financial
interests in China as the correct policy for
the United States to follow in the present
Far Eastern crisis.
An analysis of just what the Nine Power
Treaty is might cause the proponents of its
invocation to be a little less blatant in their
pleas. In the first place, it should be clearly
understood that the Nine Power Treaty is in
reality a mere document to protect the in
terests Of the imperialists of Europe. Except
as the treaty is described as "a policy de-
signed to stabilize conditions in the Far
East" there is no reference to the war or
peace issue. 1t guarantees the open Door,
for trade. It provides that whenever a stu
alton arises which in the opinion of any one
of them involves the application of the stipu-
lations of the treaty there shall be full
and frank communication between the con-
tracing powers concerned" What is there
to invoke? Full and frank communications
between the contracting powers concerned"
Communications among signatories could re-
suit in one of two things. An expression of
opinion which events do not indicate would
have any effect in stopping the conflict; or
an agreement to use force which would ulti-
mately mean war. Among the signatories,
neither Great Britain, France nor Italy, in
the face of the European situation, is in a
position to transfer its fleet to the Far East.
The Netherlands and Portugal are not
equipped for any important action.
We might as we'll recognize right now
that the Nine Power Treaty isn't worth the
paper it's written on unless we are prepared
to go to war to enforce it. Before the situa-
ton gets beyond control and we are sucked
into this war which does not concern us, let
us invoke the neutrality law. The law if
applied, would stop the sale of implements
of war to China and Japan which are now
contributing to the slaughter going on in the
Far East which is a danger to the whole
American people of ENHANCEMENT in war and
profits to a few citizens.
Secretary of Commerce Roper has urged
postponement in invoking the neutrality law
on the ground that our trade would suffer.
This ill-advised argument was attacked in
advance by the President himself at Chau-
tauqua just a year ago when he said: eff war
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let us not blink the fact that we would find
in this country thousands of Americans who,
seeking immediate riches = fools gold
would attempt to break down or evade our
neutrality. If we face the choice of profits
or peace, the nation will answer-must an
swer-FWe choose peace"
Despite the revelations of the Nye NUM-
tons Investigating Committee we are once
more on the road to war-the same path we
followed from 1914 to 1917. The same old
cry of the war mongers for profits, profits,
profits is heard once more.
Our strong sympathy for China must not
blind us to certain facts. War with Japan
would not help China, whose soil would be
the battle-ground, nor would it advance hui
man progress. 1t would ruin our country
and bring fascism here while throwing Asia
open to communism.
We can't stop the war! But we can %"starve"
it by invoking the neutrality law.
Let us not forget SO easily what our partici-
patton in the Far Eastern war or any other
war would bring. On declaration of war by
this country, the dangerous Sheppard-Hill
bill-which has been temporarily sidetracked
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Mobilization Plan drawn up by the War De-
partment for passage during a war hysteria
would be Immediately enacted. This bill
would set up a military dictatorship, regi-
ment labor and bring fascism. This would
be the end of trade unions.
There is only one sound course for us to
pursue. Our neutrality should be declared
at once, a date set for evacuation of our
nationals after which they remain at their
own risk, and our military and naval forces
then withdrawn.
What is our choice? Neutrality or war?
We choose peace through immediate appli-
cation of the neutrality law!
in the Soviet of the Soviet Union, after the re