Evening star., 1940-05-21
Immediate Embargo Against
Japan Urged.

Japan Urged.
To the Editor Of The Star:
1t does not take a military training for
one to appreciate the great advantage
which accrues to that army which is able
to take the initiative. Again and again
this has been demonstrated but never
with more convincing evidence than dur
ing the present European war.
Germany promises 'blitzkrieg," but
where will 1t strike? Armies are being
massed, transports are waiting, a vast
air force is ready to hop of, but what is
the objective? Opposing armies cannot
be massed on all fronts with sufficient
strength to repel the enemy wherever he
strikes. The Zero" hour comes, the
enemy plunges forward. Not for some
hors-not perhaps for some days-can
the defenders build up resistance. In the
meantime vantage points have been
seized, air fields bombed and the enemy
thoroughly disorganized. Certainly this
partly explains the allied loss Of Scan
dinavia, to which Holland and Belgium
may be added.
This same principle appears to be true
in the diplomatic field. Italy will join
the Germans when and II she sees q
reasonable probability of victory. In the
meantime she is tying up large English
fleet in the Mediterranean and otherwise
greatly aiding the cause of the Germans
without losing man.
Two causes have contributed to place
the allies in this very embarrassing situa-
ton. First, is their unwillingness to in
wade the territory of neutral nations, and,
second, diplomatic opportunism The
first reason is highly commendable, but
the second is due to lack of foresight.
1t is well known that when Japan in
vaded Manchuria Mr.. Stimson, the then
Secretary of State, tried to get Great
Britain to join the United States in an
attempt to stop the Japanese; she re-
fused on the ground that Manchuria was
too far north to affect her interests at
Honk Kong and Singapore. But Great
Britain;s refusal did not settle the mat
ter. Now she IS engaged in a life and
death struggle with Germany. Japan
has seized on the occasion practically to
blockade Hong Kong, and Great Britain
finds herself powerless to prevent it. In
the same way she played weak hand
in the Ethiopian incident and now she
is faced with q possible war with Italy.
But the United States can Ill afford to
point the finger OF scorn at British diplo-
macy. It is true that Secretary Stimson
was far-sighted enough to see the conse-
quences of q weak policy In the Pacific,
but the present administration has
lapsed into the British opportunistic
policy.
The commercial treaty of 1922 has
been abrogated to make way for an en-
barge on goods to Japan used In her ag-
gression against China, yet no embargo
has been placed. Embargo bills have
been introduced into both houses OF Con-
gress, and referred to the Committees Of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations,
but have never emerged. Why? I am
convinced the people Of the United
States want an embargo. our Representa-
tives and Senators are largely in favor
of an embargo, but the administration as
represented by the Secretary Of State
refuses to give the word TO 60 ahead.
Millions Of dollars worth Of raw mate
risls essential to her war with China are
going to Japan every year from Amer
~. II slae saeeesds II ee0Quss1ng China