Evening star., 1939-07-28
Possibility That U. 5.
Will Get New Pact
With Japan Fades
Pittmon to Ask Congress
For Embargo Action
At Next Session
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
The possibility of new COM
mercial treaty between the United
States and Japan to replace the
1911 pact terminated by Secretary
Hull diminished today as admin
istration officials moved to strength
en- their firm stand against the
Toxic government.
There were these developments: :
/. Chairman Pittman, Democrat,
of Nevada, of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee interpreted
Mr.. Hull's action as warning to
the Japanese that the United States
did not intend to retreat from its
policy of maintaining American
rights in the Orient.
2. Senator Pittman served notice
that the Senate would be asked to
act on his resolution banning ship
ment Of war supplies to Japan as
soon as Congress meets in January.
3. The Treasury studied the pos
sible application of countervailing
duties against japanese imports into
this country on the ground that
they were being subsidized. 1t also
looked into United States purchases
of Japanese gold and silver, frorp
which Japan gets funds to buy ma
terials here.
Hull Begins Study.
Mr.. Hull's note giving the re-
ouired six months notice to end the
treaty January 26, will not prevent
shipment of supplies to Japan unless
Congress enacts such legislation.
Ofhcials explained that in cases
where countries do not have COM
mercial treaties in effect, ordinary
business dealings are carried on un-
der international law.
Mr.. Hull and his Far Eastern ad-
visers began what may prove long
scrutiny to determine whether ter
mination of the treaty is to bring
such a change in Japan's attitude
toward China and foreign interests
there that an embargo might not be
necessary.
Some officials were heartened by
the wide publication given by Jap
anese newspapers to the Hull note.
They felt that the japanese public
had not been sufficiently aware OF
the feeling in the United States to-
ward their invasion of China. Re-
Gently some japanese officials have
stated that Americas sentiments
were improving toward Japan.
Senator Pittman said in an inter-
view that he believed the treaty
abrogation should set at rest any
conjecture that the United States
intended to follow the lead of Great
Britain in the Far East.
That country recently agreed to
recognize Japans special require
ments" in China.
InsinuatiOns Cited.
"It was even insinuated in Con-
gress that Great Britain was die
tating the foreign policy of the
United States in the Far East,
Senator Pittman said. "All of these
insinuations were false and were
categorically denied at one time or
another by the State Department.
However, certain foreign govern
ments have been led to believe that
such insinuations were based in
fact. It was necessary, therefore
for our Government Immediately tc
negative even a suspicion that the
United States would follow the pol
icy indicated by Great Britain.'
On the other hand, Senator Van
denberg, Republican, of Michigan
said he hoped the State Depart
ment would proceed in an orderly
way to discuss conditions with the
Japanese, with a view toward ulti.
mate consummation of a treaty
which would include a definite
statement of American rights in the
Orient.
Senator Borah, Republican, o1
Idaho suggested that the Neutrality
Act should be invoked also to pro-
hibit the sale of all arms, munitions
and implements of war to Japan.
Commenting on the treaty abro-
CATION notice. Senator Borah said hi
regarded it as CLOSED incident" 4"
adding that nothing can be gainec
by debating it,"
Believing as I do that the fur.
nisning of arms and munitions anc
implements of war by a neutral ma.
ton to nations engaged in war /!
not only immoral but calculated t.
involve us in war, would apply oul
laws with reference to that mattel
rigidly to all nations engaged II
J. war;" he declared.