Evening star., 1938-01-30
Limits of Patience.


Possibly there was more design than
coincidence in the submission Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's delayed defense message
to Congress on the day that witnessed
two new and separate remonstrances
against Japanese violation of American
rights in China. Whether or not such
renewed evidence Of high tension" in
the Far East impelled the White House
thus to time the recommendation of a
twenty per cent increase in the Navy,
late events at Nanking, Hangchow and
elsewhere are sure to Whet the demand
in Congress and the country for aug
mented preparedness.
At the outset of what may become q
struggle to secure the necessary legisla-
ton, one thing needs to be borne in
mind. In dealing with military oil
garchies like Italy, Germany and Japan,
only force-possession Of force and the
unmistakable will to use it, II necessary
is persuasive. Underlying President
Roosevelts proposal of large scale naval
expansion is the conviction that it is the
most effective peace-keeping strategy.
1t does not denote any will to aggression.
1t merely signifies that the United
States means to be ready to resist ag-
gression.
Japan, as our latest representations
at Toxic disclose, seems Systematically to
have embarked upon various forms of
aggression at our expense. She has not,
it is true, attacked any more American
Warships, though sister gunboat OF the
Panay, the Luzon, just seems to have
been struck by stray japanese bombing
shots at Hangchow, nor has any actual
United States territory been invaded.
But aggression in other guises has taken
place on scale that evokes this Gov
ernments formal and vigorous resent
ment 1t is all the more intolerable be-
cause 1t is in flagrant breach of the
pledges given us on December "a, that
rigid orders would be issued to prevent
infringement of, or unwarranted inter-
ference with, the rights and interests of
the United States and other neutral
powers.
Notwithstanding these pledges. Amer
ican property at different points in North
China has since then been repeatedly
trespassed upon by japanese armed
forces. Goods and employees have been
illegally removed land other acts of
depreciation committed" In almost every
case these offenses occurred in places
marked by American flags and by notices
in English, Chinese and japanese, setting
forth unmistakably the American char
acter OF the property. I'm numerous in
stances" American flags have been torn
down, burned and otherwise mutilated
by japanese soldiers"
Secretary Hull protested these out
RACES at Toxic on January II. The note
Ambassador Grew then presented was
made public here on January ~, the
very day of an almost crowning japanese
military affront. While John NJ Allison,
secretary Of the American Embassy at
Marking, was on an official errand OF
inquiry. Japanese soldier slapped his
face and attacked another American who
accompanied him. Mr.. Allison reports
to the State Department that the attack
was not only utterly unprovoked, but was
characterized by brutality and verbal Of
fensiveness that left no doubt Of its anti
American animus Mr.. Hull has de-
manded that this ugly episode be cleared
up without delay.
State Department files are steadily be-
ing choked with explanations, alibis,
evasions, promises and crocodile-teared
regrets from Japan. 1t is also cluttered
with reports of recurring incidents"
like the Panay and Allison affairs. The
hour is undoubtedly approaching, if 1t
is not already here, when, to say the
least, American patience with such con-
ditions will be exhausted.