Evening star., 1939-12-24

u. S.-Japan Relations
Seen Facing Greatest
Crisis Since 1907
Pact Expiring in Month
To Provide Test; Congress
To Get Embargo PIeo
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The greatest crisis in relations
between the United. States and
japan since Teddy Roosevelt sent
the fleet to Japan in 1907 may be
approaching fast.
Only one month is left before
their commercial treaty of 1911 ex-
pires as result of notice served by
Secretary of State Hull July 26.
Congress, preparing to meet 10 days
hence, will have before it resolutions
calling for an embargo on the ship
ment of raw materials to Japan.
Sponsored by Senators such as
Pittman, Democrat, of Nevada, and
Schwellenbach, Democrat, of Wash
ington, the resolutions may have a
chance of passing. While there have
been conversations between officials
Of the two government, no initiative
toward a new treaty is being taken
here.
Embargo or not, the United States
and Japan will be without any con-
tract for commercial relations.
Without treaty, neither will be
specifically obliged to treat the other
as it would treat all nations.
Four Facts Stand Out.
AS the crisis approaches, certain
facts stand out:
!. The war in Europe, following
an alliance between Germany, ia
pans anti-comintern partner, and
Russia.
@ Japan's dependence on the
United States for raw materials. 1t
is calculated that this country sup
plies 56 per cent of all Japans i'm
ports essentil for war purposes. In
1898 the United States supplied
$17l ,574,l67 Of Japan's total imports
Of this type of commodity, valued
at s306, ,393,950 The European war,
absorbing the productive energies of
other nations, has increased this de-
pendency.
3. A reduction of British and
French armed forces in the Far East
with an increase of United States
forces there. New submarines have
been sent to the Asiatic fleet and the
scouting force has been shifted from
California to Hawaii.
4. The Sino-Japanese war, contin-
uing after nearly two and a half
years. The State Department has
repeatedly objected to Japans acts
against Americans and American in
terests in China during this war.
Conclusions Outlined.
These conclusions may be drawn
from these facts:
With the big powers of Europe at
one another's throats, the United
States and Japan face each other
more directly across the Pacific.
Japan would feel acutely the ef-
fects of an American embargo, and
might react violently.
The United States is moving
toward a stronger policy in the Far
East.
Many persons in high position
here have begun to ask themselves
the question:
If an embargo is imposed against
Japan. what will she do?"
No one has been found willing te
guarantee there will be no reaction
Some competent observers think
the Japanese foreign Office would de
its utmost to avoid reprisals that
would further embitter relations
with the Nation which. through
Commodore Perry, opened the jap
anese empire to the western world
But they deem it very likely some
measures of reprisal will be taken by
the Japanese army and the navy.
New Violation Of Rights Feared.
They expect further violations OF
American rights in China, more at
tacks against Americans there, addi-
tional damage to American prop
erty. From the Japanese Navy they