Evening star., 1939-01-09

Denies Right Of Americans
To Condemn Foreign
Governments
To the Editor Of The Star:
A few days ago. Senator Pittman made
q four-point statement summarizing
American dislikes Of the governments OF
Japan and Germany. He hoped that 1t
"will be beneficial as q frank statement
OF facts" In the same breath, however,
he was both courteous and cautious to
add that "the statement represented his
own personal views" disclaiming for the
moment "his capacity as chairman Of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee"
The first point Of his statement was
'The people OF the United States do not
like the government Of Japan" Senator
Pittman advisedly said "the government"
No doubt, to the senatorial mind, Japan's
action in China is the object Of his COM
plant It Is attributed to the govern
ment," but not to the people Of Japan.
This method Of dif1erentiating the "gov-
ernment" from the people" has been
employed in world politics with great
relish by the American leaders when-
ever they regarded certain policy exc
cuted by foreign nation prejudicial to
American interests. Their attempt, how
ever, proved an utter failure as in the
case Of President Wilson against the Ger
man government during the World War
and Secretary Stimson against the Japa-
nese government in the Manchurian in
cident. In passing, 1t should be mem
toned here that the people" of Japan
will support and follow their govern
ment" with implicit confidence and ut
most sacrifice never known In human
history-the rare asset In national and
racial solidarity that has made Japan
what she is today.
The obvious reason for the Pittman
dislike in his first point is no other than
the present status of Japan VS.. China in
belllgerency in Asia. II the Senator is
magnanimous enough to be patient,
shall venture to furnish him with brief
explanation. The struggle between ia.
pan and China is nothing but another
example OF an upheaval or convulsion
OF human forces executed on a CONT
mental scale, revealed by history only
once in century. Thus, viewed from a
height whence one can command a
broader horizon, the people" as we'll as
the government" of Japan are at pres
ent IN the midst Of erecting a lasting
foundation for new civilization spread
Ing over the regions of the Far East
under "a new order" In this attempt
at westward expansion" both the Japa-
nese government" and people are en-
gagged in the execution of their mani
fest destiny with an utmost confidence
In the ultimate truth in their newly
enunciated slogan, the light comes from
the East"
The learned Senator will realize and
appreciate this Interpretation when he
becomes reminiscent and recalls the
same irresistible human forces, with
justice or otherwise, brought about the
consolidation Of the American Nation in
the form of the treaty Of Guadalupe
Hidalgo of February 2, 1848. This con-
vention was an outcome of the Mexican
War, by which Mexico ceded a conti-
mental bloc Of territory to the United
States. This method of winning the
West" made possible the expansion of
American civilization and power to the
shores OF the Pacific. The snow clad"
State of Nevada, which Senator Pittman
ably represents in the National Capital
today, is part and parcel of this great
real estate transaction.
With this eloquent testimony, which is
an ineradicable handwriting OF history
on the American Continent, what is the
use Of Senator Pittmans enumeration of
dislikes either of the Japanese or the
German governments"
With regard to Senator Pittman's sec
ond item, 1t is the business for the Ger
mans to take up cudgel against the
Senator. but not the present writer's.
Thirdly, in Senator Pittman's opinion,
the American people ARE against any
form OF dictatorial government, COM
munistic or fascistic." He is perfectly
right as long as this assertion is accom-
panied by the phrase. "in the United
States" Unfortunately, however, am
AAlCl111cO 10 tlllQk LQaC MS NINA runs IN
the same channel as many other Ameri-
cans, who appear to take special de-
light in denouncing such forms of for
eign governments. AS beneficial
statement of facts" to borrow Senator
Pittman's phrase, it should be pointed
out frankly that 1t is none of his or any
Americans concern what form of gov
ernment the other people have at home.
1t is well-known fact that Thomas JET
ferson, one of Americas foremost po-
itical philosophers, cautioned in no un-
certain terms the Americans, both con-
temporaries and those of posterity, not
to commit such blunder
AS matter of fact, the first rule Of
international law forbids us to scrutinize
the form of government" of any men,
ber of the community of nations. If loose
thinking, current and rampant in this
country, is allowed to persist with regard
to this question, the net result will be an
immediate dissolution of the society of
nations as it is constituted at present.
This fact, it is to be expected, ought to
be clear to the astute mind Of the chair
main of the Foreign Relations Committee