Evening star., 1938-12-31

1887, Japan has more and more
excluded American commerce
and missionaries from conquered
territory. October Secretary
of State Hull protested to Japan
against restriction OF American
actiuities in China. Japan's re-
ply, November 1S, 1cas termed un-
satisfactory by Secretary Hull,
\ in reaSSerting position that ia
pan could not nullity the open
door" in China.
(Tert OF American note to Japan
on page A-5)
BY the Associated Press.
Bluntly rejecting Japans new
order" program in the Far East, the
United States told the Toxic gov
ernment today it reserved all Ameri-
can rights in China.
A note delivered to the Japanese
Goreign Office by Ambassador Joseph
c. Grew stated in plain but friendly
terms that the United States "does
not admit" any need or warrant
for one power "consti-
tute itself the repository of authority
and the agent of destiny in areas
not under its sovereignty.
This Government announced
simultaneously that it was pre-
pared to enter into negotiation for
changing treaties affecting China.
But it added emphatically it would
pt tolerate Japans effort to super
sede the principles of equal oppor-
tunity and the open door which
have been long maintained in China.
Reserves All Right.
This Government reserves all
rights of the United States as they
exist and does not give assent to any
impairment of any of these rights, +"
the American note said.
1t was reply to Japan's' note of
November 18 announcing the new
q nder" program for East Asia which
'Sapan said was the keystone for
enduring peace and stability in East
Asia. The step today. taken after
nearly 1S months of note writing to
Japan over her campaign in China
and its effect upon American inter-
ests there, constituted the first di-
rect and complete challenge to ia
pans effort to establish her heg-
emony throughout China by means
OF the new order" program.
The note outlined the United
Estates fundamental position in the
9Chinese conflict and the State De-
partment indicated it would be the
hnal communication to Japan on
this question.
The people and the Government
OF the United States cannot assent
to the abrogation of any of this
countrys rights or obligations by
the arbitrary action of agents or
authorities of any other country"
!, the note said.
Parallel to Stimson Action.
The reservation of American
rights in China was a parallel of
the action taken by former Secretary
OF State Stimson January Z. 1892,
IN the case of Mancnuria, which
the United States has never recog-
nlzed as government.
The American note labeled "high-
ly paradoxica" Japan's admonition
that the Chinese open door" hence
forth was to be contingent on an
admission by the United States "of
the validity of the conception by
Japanese authorities of new sit
uation' and new order in East
Asia" The note added:
This country's adherence to and
Its advocacy of the principle of
equality of opportunity do not flow
solely from a desire to obtain the
commercial benefits which naturally
result from the carrying out of that
THE principle of equality of eco
>nomic opportunity is, moreover, one
to which over long period and on
many occasions the japanese gov
ernment has given definite approval.
1t is one to the observance of which
the Japanese government has COM
mltted itself in various international
agreements and understandings It
is one upon observance of which by
other nations the Japanese govern
ment has of its own accord and
upon its own initiative frequently
6nslSted. 1t is one to which the
Japanese government has repeated
ly during recent months declared it.
self committed"
The United States declared its
readiness, in accordance with the
principle of peaceful revision of
treaties, to listen to any proposal
Japan cares to put forward. It. how
ever. declared itself firmly opposed
to any single-handed denunciation
OF the treaties by Japan.
Program Not Fully Defined.
/ Numerous japanese officials re-
Gently have said that recognition
by foreign governments of the new
order" program in China was a
prerequisite to continue equal eco
nomlc opportunity in that country.
The program has not been fully
defined to the United States but
is understood in general to pro-
vide that all East Asia would be
linked economically or otherwise
to Japanese leadership.
In her note of November 18 the
Toxic government said:
Japan at present is devoting her
energy to the establishment of a
new order based on genuine inter-
national justice throughout East
Asia, the attainment of which end
is not only an indispensable condi-
ton of the very existence of Japan
but also constitutes the very founda-
(See JAPAN. Page A-40