The Daily Alaska empire., 1939-08-10

ever were Britain forced to submit to Japanese domn ation Asia she compelled to give up her rights and interests there, precedent for similar action against the United States would have been established Tokyo's idea was to play the old game of separating her rivals and crushing them at time.
 London was as startled Tokyo by the United States sudden denunciaton of the treaty It is im- portant to follow opinion in these two capitals for the reaction there will largely determine the future policy of this country toward Japan and it's future position in the Far East
 At a time when Japan believed her surface friend liness was improving her position with the American public the denunciation. But Americans were watching the actions of the Japanese Army in China not only against Chinese but against fellow nationals and paying little attention fine words from Tokyo
 The aftermath of the first surprise a threat of retaliation But by retaating Japan would iniure herself than the United States.
 On second thought Japanese spokesmen revealed their willingness to negotiate new treaty It would be mistake to think that Tokyo is naive to believe that the 1911 pact was denounced only for commercial reasons
 While London is pleased with the American action it is perturbed because the State Department gave no advance notice of it's intentions Had Downing Street known such a step was contemplated, it now says it would not have surrendered to Japanese de- mands it did last week
 In reality London has little ground for complaint It, too has a commercial treaty like the which America abrogates and it could have denounced it when the Tientsin incident started In 1892 when the United States attempting to force the observances of the Nine-Power Treaty, Washington did inform London of it's intentions but the then foreign minis ter Sir John Simon, thought to win diplomatic favor with Tokyo by doing nothing and letting the United States hold the bag"
 There is another reason possibly for Washngtons precipitation. No charge that the action taken at the behest of Britain It is our own idea If Britain wishes join us-which she will dc if she is wise-well and good Future parallel action will be firmer basis.
 By throwing open her Far Eastern policy the United States not only protects herself but gives to Britain the support which will enable her to stand up against further Japanese demands London now expresses willingness to cooperate by also denouncing her trade treaty with Japan If this is done all talk of any resulting embargoes leading to retalatory war nonsense for it is from the Ango-Saxon nations and not her political allies that Japan gets virtually all her war supplies.
 If the objection is raised that this step is not in line with traditional neutral policy it only goes to show the mpossibity of following such policy where aggressors involved who have no respect for their treaty commitments the rights of other nations under International law This action may well prove turning point in world history The effect will be felt in Europe well as Asia It strengthens the European democracies against the European aggres- sors. It is warning against going too far If Japan is wise, embargoes will not be necessary. She has six months in which to modify her course.