Evening star., 1938-12-31

ASS" "~ANSA AAA VAAS = ~ xs4ots
Whatever may be the changes which
have taken place in the situation
In the Far East and whatever may
be the situation now, these matters
are Of no less interest and concern
to the American Government than
have been the situations which have
prevailed there in the past, and such
changes as may henceforth take
place there, changes which may
enter into the producing of q new
situation and q new order are and
will be Of like concern to this Gov-
ernment. This Government Is also
aware that many of the changes
have been brought about by action
Of Japan. This Government does
not admit, however, that there is
need or warrant for any one power
to take upon itself to prescribe what
shall be the terms and conditions of
q new order in areas not under its
sovereignty and to constitute itself
the repository Of authority and the
agent OF destiny In regard thereto.
Use Of Negotiation.
1T is known to all the world that
various parties to treaties concluded
for the purpose Of regulating con-
tracts in the Far East and avoiding
friction therein and therefrom-
which treaties contained. for those
purposes, various restrictive pro-
visions-have from time to time and
by process Of negotiation and agree
ment contributed, In the light of
changed situations, toward the re-
moval Of restrictions and toward
the bringing about Of further de-
velopments which would warrant,
in the light Of further changes In
the situation, further removals of
restrictions. BY such methods and
processes. early restriction upon the
tari6 autonomy of all countries in
the Far East were removed. BY
such methods and processes, the
rights Of extraterritorial jurisdic-
ton once enjoyed by Occidental
countries In relations with countries
In the Far East have been given UP
In relations with all of those coun-
tries except China; and In the years
Immediately preceding and includ-
ing the year 1881, countries which
still possess those rights In China,
including the United States, were
actively engaged in negotiations
far advanced-looking toward sur
render Of those rights. All discern
ing and impartial observers have
realized that the United States and
other of the treaty powers have not
during recent decades clung tena-
ciously to their so-called special
rights and privileges In countries of
the Far East but on the contrary
have steadily encouraged the de-
velopment in those countries of in
stitutions and practices in the pres
ence Of which such rights and privi-
leges may safely and readily be
given up; and all observers have
seen those rights and privileges
gradually being surrendered volun-
tartly, through agreement, by the
powers which have possessed them.
On one point only has the Govern
ment of the United States, along
with several other governments, In
sisted: Namely, that new situations
must have developed to a point war
ranting the removal of special safe
guarding restrictions and that the
removals be Effected by orderly proc
esseS.
THE Government OF the United
States has at all times regarded
agreements as susceptible Of altera-
ton, but 1t has always insisted that
alterations can rightfully be made
only by orderly processes Of negotia-
ton and agreement among the
parties thereto.
THE japanese government has
upon numerous occasions expressed
itself as holding similar views.
Rights Rest on Treaties.
"The United States has in its
international relations rights and
obligations which derive from inter-
national law and rights and obliga-
tions which rest upon treaty pro-
visions. OF those which rest on
treaty provisions, its rights and
obligations In and with regard to
China rest in part upon provisions
in treaties between the United
States and several other pow
ers, including both China and
Japan. These treaties were con-
cluded in good faith for the pur-
pose Of safeguarding and promoting
the interests not of one only but of
all of their signatories. The people
and the Government Of the United
States cannot assent to the abro-
cation of any of this country's
rights or obligations by the arbi-
trary action of agents or authori-
ties Of any other country.
'The Government Of the United
States has, however, always been
prepared, and Is now, to give due
and ample consideration to any
proposals based on justice and rea-
son which envisage the resolving
Of problems in a manner duly con-
siderate Of the rights and obliga-
tions Of all parties directly con-
cerned by processes Of free negotia-
ton and new commitment by and
among all Of the parties 80 con-
cerned. There has been and there
continues to be opportunity for the
Japanese government to put for
ward such proposals. This Govern
ment has been and IT, continued IN