Evening star., 1939-10-21
Plain Speaking to japan

Ambassador Crews address to the
American-Japan Society in Toxic was
a fortnight statement, without the
usual diplomatic embellishments, of
the feelings of the American people,
and of their Government, toward
Japan's campaign in China. 1t was a
pronouncement which will strike a
responsive chord in the masses of
Americans who have resented the
actions of Japan's military in China,
and for that reason deserves the
closest attention by the Toxic gov
ernment.
Mr.. Grew in no way exaggerated
when he told the mixed group of
Americans and japanese that "the
people of the United States resent the
methods which japanese armed
forces are employing in China; that
"the many things injurious to the
United States which have been done
and are being done by japanese
agencies are wholly needless" and
that "the American people have been
profoundly shocked over the wide
spread use of bombing in China, not
only on the grounds of humanity, but
also on the grounds of direct menace
to American lives and property, ac-
companied by loss of American life
and the Gripping of American
citiZenS.''
Japan founders now in a state of
confusion which is composite of de-
termination to achieve in full her
aims in China, dismay over the err
ratio course of international relations
and anxiety not to antagoniZe the
great democracy across the Pacific.
What the japanese people have
failed to realize is that there can
be no question of rapprochement with
the United States on the basis of the
goals Japan has set for herself on the
continent of Asia. The United States
both Government and people
have taken a clear position toward
Japan: insistence that enduring
friendship must be based upon re-.
spect for the rights of other powers
and their nationals in China.
Because of the peculiar manner in
which western civilization got its
foothold in China those rights are
extensive and deep-seated, founded
in formal treaties with China. Japan
cannot remake the order of East
Asia in her own interest, as Mr.. Grew
said the American people are con-
vinced Japan is trying to do, while
those foreign rights remain in China.
And there can be no conciliation be-
tween Japan and the United States if
its rights are destroyed.
Japan sees herself in critical
situation. The German-Soviet non
aggression pact and everything flow
ing out of it has jolted Japan's con-
fdence in her ability to defy the
western nations. Cancellation with
Russia-which, it is feared, may be
all too short lived-has done little
to restore her confidence. Japan
feels herself deserted and friendless.
Casting about for friends, she sees
the United States, with which there
is every fundamental reason for
amity, but across the Pacific the way
is being cleared for economic reprisals
against Japan for her policies.
In that situation Japan's leaders
have undertaken campaign of con-
ciliation of America, a campaign
of words unsupported by the deeds
which are the surety of intentions.
Japan's cabinet is committed to the
paradoxical program Of conciliating
the United States while speedily full
filling Nippon's program in China.
Mr.. Grew has yanked Japan sharp
ly back to reality from its dream
world of hope that the United States
could be induced to accept Japan's
program in East Asia. The sooner