Evening star., 1939-07-28
By the Associated Press.

TOXIC, July 28-Abrogation OF
the Nine-Power Treaty without
further ado" was suggested today
by the newspaper Kokumin, con-
sidered the organ of the army and
ultra -nationalistic elements, in an
angry editorial on United States
denunciation of the Japanese trade
treaty.
Such a reckless act of hostility
toward Japan by the United States
has aroused sharp resentment" said
Kokumin.
Opinion is rising in favor of
abrogation of the Nine-Power Treaty
without further ado. In that case
the United States should be pre-
pared to face situation wherein
her rights and interests in China
can no longer be tenable."
Signed in Washington February
6, 1922, by the United States, China.
Japan. Britain and five other powers,
the Nine-Power Treaty pledges its
signatories to respect Chinas in
tegrity and to promote intercourse
between China and the other powers
upon the basis of equality of oppor-
tunity.'
Won't Take Initiative.
Reliable sources said Japan would
refuse to take the initiative in draft
ing treaty to supplant the 1911
pact abruptly denounced by WASH
ington.
The government, it was stated,
would await American action pas
sively during the six months
notification period before expiration
of the pact January 26. During
that time officials hope the military
situation in China may be improved
sufficiently to permit relaxation of
some restrictions on American busi-
ness in the Orient and consequent
improvement of relations.
The foreign Office declared in a
statement that IF the American
Government desires to conclude a
new treaty in conformity with the
new situation in East Asia, the
japanese government, of course, will
be glad to do so.'
Fear of Embargo Indicated.
However, the foreign Office spokes-
man said that American recognition
of the changed situation in East
Asia (Japans partial conquest OF
China would not be condition for
signing a new treaty.
There is no such demand or
inference in the statement" he said.
Concern apparent in official quar-
tiers over termination of the accord
caused observers to believe Toxic
fears the action may lead to some
thing more serious-possibly an
arms embargo.
There were strong indications that
official pressure was being exerted
to prevent an anti-American cam
paign similar to recent anti-Britlsh
outbursts.
Whether the United States &C
ton would drive Japan closer to the
Rome-Berlin axis still was a mat
ter of speculation, but anything lso-
lating Japan from other powers
tends to push her closer toward
Germany and Italy.
Press Reassures Public.
The Japanese press carried many
stories reassuring the public, such
as statements the United States
would suffer from the step because
Japan buys more from America
than she sells to her.
What puzzled Toxic the most was
that no hint had been given prior
to the denunciation. Guesses on
Washington's motive ranged from
optimistic assertions that Washing
ton was taking the lead in writing
new agreements which would con-
form to the new situation, to others
that America was preparing for full
economic pressure against Japan.
The foreign Office statement said
"it is difficult to grasp the true mo-
tive underlying" the action. Pre-
vious assertions had been that the
abrogation was regarded as an un-
friendly act,