Evening star., 1939-07-19
Vandenberg Plan
Won n'tCurb Japan,
j. ). Officials Feel
Resolution Is Called
Doubtful Protection
Of Trade Interests
Bv JOSEPH H. BAIRD.

BY JOSEPH II. BAIRD.
initial reaction in administration
quarters today to the Vandenberg
resolution-an attempt to redef1ne
American-Japanese economic rela-
tions-Was admiration for its clear
legalism, combined with doubt as to
whether it could serve as practical
instrument to halt Nipponese ag-
gression or protect United States
commercial interests in the Far
East
The resolution, introduced yeSter-
day by Senator Vandenberg, Repub-
1lCan. of Michigan provides that the
Senate go on record as favOring:
ID That the United States give
Japan the required six months no
tice of its intention to denounce the
basic commercial treaty between the
two countries, signed in 1911. ~
That the administration attempt to
reconvens the abortiVe Brussels
Conference of 1887, where the sig
natories Of the ninepoWer pact at
tempted, somewhat feebly, TO halt
Japan's present inroads in China.
Pending more detailed study of
the resolution and its likely practical
results, State Department officials
would not comment on IL for quo
tation. But, coming, as ii did, from
the Republican side. 1t stimulated at
once their acute interest. There
was considerable speculation as to
whether the measure might not
have been a result of cola boration
between the Michigan Senator and
former Secretary of State Henry l..
Stimson. during whose term of Of
fee Japan began its conquest Of
China.
StimSOn Statements Recalled.
the resolution seemed to observers
to be reminiscent of some OF Col.
Stimson's statements when he was
Secretary. He has been a vigorous
and consistent advocate of interna-
tional action to halt Japan's ex-
pansion.
Observers readily agreed that the
United States cannot legally place
unilateral embargo on the sale of
war materials to Japan until the 1911
commercial treaty with that country
has been denounced. Such action
Is contemplated in the resolution of
Senator Pittman, Democrat. of Ne
vada, now pending before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee. The
treaty provides for full freedom of
commerce between this country and
Japan.
Senator Vandenberg. commenting
on his resolution, said he had no in
tention to use an Ak" on Japan. He
added that his thought was to re-
adjust Japanese American CONNER
clal relations in the light of changed
conditions in the Far East
Observers in the executive depart
ment agree with the necessity of
redefining these relations: for Japan.
by currency restrictions in China.
the closing of waterways and the
adoption of military closed zones"
has greatly impeded American ex-
ports to the Asiatic mainland. It
was conceded that If new bargain
ing were begun, the United States.
by threatening to withhold some of
the commercial privileges Japan
now has here, might try to obtain
greater economic justice in the Far
East.
Might Be Used as Threat.
AT the same time, there is con-
siderable doubt that Japan, now
in the midst Of it's Chinese cam
paign is in a position to negotiate
clearly on the basis of what condi-
tions may be many years hence.
In one sense, adoption OF the
Vandenberg resolution and the sub
sequent carrying out of its terms by
the administration might be en-
ployed as a threat to Japan. After
the six months notice of abrogation
has expired, the United States would
be in a clear legal position to en-
barge any or all exports to the
island empire. Yet there is no
doubt here that such action would
lead to a retaliatory Japanese en-
barge on American goods, which
would mean an outcrv from Ameri-
can cotton producers who sell a
large share Of their crop to the
island empire.
Moreover, conditions in the Far
East and in Europe are changing
so rapidly that what might seem
wise today might prove inappro-
pirate, or even damaging, to Ameri-
can interests six months from now
American officials have little faith
that any effective result could come
from reassembling the signatories
OF the Nine-Power Pact to determine
whether Japan has violated it. Such
action would be highly academic,
almost amusing, they hold, for this
violation is obvious to all.
Brussels Farley in 1887.
Mere rhetorical condemnation of
Japan. they hold, would be useless
gesture and there are no indications
That the powers are ready TO unite
IN applying sanctions against the
Nlpponese. any more than they were
In 1887. 1t Is virtually certain that
Japan and its axis" partner, Italy,
would refuse to attend, making any
unanimous action impossible
The nine powers party to the pact
minus Japan and plus Soviet Rus
sis, not a signatory, but Far East
ern power-met in Brussels on Oc-
tober 6, 1887. Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain of Great Britain set
the tone of the conference when, at
its opening he said it would be a
mistake to consider employing
pressure on Japan.
l'he IL q lio N dolonofn .,rn,,nr nI tl,a L