Evening star., 1939-06-25

queen 10 the united states, might be
more than useful. The old story that
I'VE democratic nations are all in the
same boat" was revived. In Washington
1t was made clear to Sir Ronald Lind
say, Britain's Ambassador to the United
States, that at this time any action on
our part except an offer to mediate
would not be acceptable to the nation.
People in the United States, Sir Ronald
was informed, are keenly interested in
the developments across the seas, but
are still unwilling to accept any obliga-
tions which at the present time would
appear more than ever like pulling
chestnuts out of the fire for the British
government.
But there is growing concern in the ad-
ministration regarding the immediate
consequences of the Tientsin blockade.
Because of the helplessness of the British,
should their new ward. Poland, be at
tackled, it is believed that the Tientsin
can find some means to yield gracefully
to the japanese
Reports from China and Japan indi-
cate that in Shanghai and at Annoy the
Japanese will repeat the Tientsin expert
ment. The United States has no treaty
rights in Tientsin; the 243 marines who
are there are merely guests They are
the old Legation guard, established after
the Boxer revolution, to keep communi-
cations between Peking and the sea open
to American nationals.
At Shanghai and at Annoy the situa-
ton is different. There we have actual
treaty rights, obtained legally from the
Chinese government. For the time
being we do not recognize the occupa-
ton OF the treaty ports by Japan
Shanghai and Annoy, like Canton and
Nanking, are, from the official point of
view, still Chinese cities belonging to
a recognized, established Chinese gov
ernment. If there were any question
OF surrendering the privileges in those
treaty ports, they would have to be
handed over to the recognized Chinese
government by mutual agreement
There is no such question at the pres
ent time.
u. >. Position Affected.
Hence, if the japanese in Shangha;
or at Annoy were to ask the American
authorities to surrender their rights, this
demand would be unhesitatingly re-
jected. There is regiment of marines
in Shanghai which has instructions to
preserve the legitimate rights of the
United States against any intruders
So far those instructions have not been
changed. On the contrary, recently they
have been stiffened.
Since the outbreak of the Tientsin
affair there have been important confer
ences at the White House regarding the
attitude this Government would take
if confronted with Japanese demand
to surrender our treaty rights, which
consist of the right of American citizens
to be tried by consular court and the
participation of American citizens in
the administration of an important Sec
ton of Shanghai. After serious consid-
Grafton of the situation it has been de-
cided-for the time being at least-that
the United States cannot surrender to
an alien power those rights obtained
from the Chinese government.
While it is improbable that the jap
anese will press their claims against
the United States with too much en-.
ergy-as we are not, like the British
and the French, committed to help ma
tions in Eastern Europa serious Sit
uation might occur If the Japanese
should decide to take over the foreign
settlements at Shanghai and Annoy The
United States, it is emphasized in WASH
ington, as in the past, will act inde-
pendently of any other nation But, it
is added, it is inconceivable that the
Government of this country should look
upon any infringement Of American
rights with its arms crossed. This view
has been duly indicated to Toxic by the
American Charge d'Affaires.
The Tientsin incident, regardless of
how it will be settled, may have impor-
tant repercussions on our own position
in the Far East. --.
New Trouble Expected.
But if the Secretary OF State, the
chief of naval operations and chief of
staff have been summoned to the White
House more frequently than is CUSTOM
ary the reason must be found in the
fact that the general international situ-
alton has entered into a new strained
phase.
After a few weeks of lull 1t appears
that preparations are being made for
another major spectacle in Europe. The
conflict between Toxic and London will
hasten the new show. Reports here in
dicate intensified military preparations,
especially on the Polish border. The
question of Danzig and the Corridor is
expected to be revived within the next
few weeks. This time there will no
longer be any speeches or diplomatic
pourparlers, but demand on the part
of Hitler. and threat Of action will i'm
mediately follow the demand. The in
terested governments are fully aware
Of the pending crisis. The Poles are
perfecting their defenses; war materials
especially airplane parts-are being
shipped to Gdnya, Poland's port in the
Baltic, as fast as British and French
manufacturers can produce them. Or
ders have been given to British and
French plants to treat Polish orders
with the same care and speed as British
or French orders While nos treaty has
been signed with Russia yet, Moscow
has been delivering tanks and airplanes
lately tn p0land Thev oro roid xx,itt,