Evening star., 1940-08-04

American people and the American Gov
ernment, no nation can, without the as
sent of the other nations concerned,
rightfully endeavor 20 make conclusive
its will in situations where there are in
volved the rights, the obligations and the
legitimate interests of other sovereign
states" The Nine Power Treaty had
guaranteed to all signatories equal rights
in China.
The same year, the question of naval
limitation precipitated another sharp
controversy between the two countries.
Japan presented a demand for naval
parity with Great Britain and the United
States, demand opposed by both Brit
ain and the United States. Japan with
drew from the naval conference which
convened In London late in 1885 Pre-
Vlously, the Toxic government had an
nounced its intention of abrogating the
washington naval treaty. With the end
Ing OF quantitive limitations, Japan en-
barked upon a huge construction pro-
gram the details of which have been
shrouded with great secrecy.
Boycott Urged Early.
Though the administration declined to
invoke the Neutrality Act at the outbreak
Of the Sino-Japanese War three years
ago, it made plain on several occasions
its diSapproval of JapanS use of force
against China. AS the war continued,
there was widespread demand for the
application of boycott and embargo
measures TO halt Japan's war of agrees
sion in China. Former Secretary Stim-
son-noW Secretary of WARM long
letter published in several American
newspapers, urged that the United States
and Great Britain apply economic pres
sure against Japan. In her undeclared
war against China Japan was dependent
on the United States and Great Britain
Tor a large part of her vital war mate
rails. A joint embargo of war materials,
1t was argued, would quickly end the war.
AS 1t became increasingly apparent that
JapanS plans for new order in East
Asia threatened our commercial and
other interests American protests be-
came sharper in tone In its note of Oc-
tooer 3, 1888, for example, the State De-
| partment declared that recent Develop
ments clearly indicated that the jap
anese authorities are seeking tcastablish
IN areas which have come under jap
anese military occupation general prefer
ehces Tor, and superiority Of Japanese
interests, an inevitable effect of which
| Will be to Illustrate the practical applica-
ton OF the principle of the open door,
and deprive American nationals of equal
| opportunity
In July, 1889 the United States served
notice of its intention to abrogate the
Japanese-American commercial treaty
OF 1911. The treaty was terminated on
January 26, 1910, at the conclusion of the
required SIX months notice. It's termi-
nation removed legal obstacles to the
application Of an embargo on the ship
ments OF war materials to Japan. Abro-
CATION OF the treaty was a plain indi-
cation that the administration had de-
cldeo that the time 10 come to use
str6nger ~s"tion than diplomatic ~note-
writing 10 Secure respect for the rights
of American citizens in those parts of
China held by the japanese military
authorities.
In fortnight speech before an audi
ence Of leading japanese, Ambassador
Grew last October said that to Ameri-
cans the new order in East Asia has
/ appeared to include depriving Americans
of their long established rights in
China" "The American people he de-
clared, "have good reason to believe that
an effort is being made to establish con-
troll, in Japan's own interests. in large
areas of the continent of Asia. and i'm
pose on them a System of closed
economy"
Apply Pressure.
Despite feelers emanating' from TOXIC.
the State Department has taken no steps
to conclude a new trade treats with
Japan. During the present session of
Congress, several embargo resolutions
have been introduced in Congress. The
United States Fleet, as a precautionary
measure, has been based at Hawaii. Fol-
lowing the imposition of virtual en-
bargo on petroleum and scrap metal ex-
ports, the administration last week
placed ban on the export of aviation
defense measures, these two moves
plainly indicate a more vigorous eco
nomic policy by the United States to-
ward Japan. Today, the tension in the
relations between the two countries is
plainly apparent.
The United States has been a chief
supplier of war materials to Japan. The
embargo on aviation gasoline, petroleum
and scrap metals will make more difficult
the prosecution of her undeclared war
in China, now entering it's fourth year.
Japan's sales of silk and other commodi-
ties in the United States are of vital i'm
portance in her national economy and
provide much needed foreign exchange.
In the event of an open break with the
United States, Japan would lose her ex-
port market in this country. This would
be a serious loss.
In her present policies in the Far East,
Japan is employing the same methods
used by the axis powers in Europe. The
blue prints of the Greater East Asia"
are modelled on the plans of Hitler and
his axis partner for the postwar eco
nomic and political domination of Eu-
rope. In Asia, as in Europe, if the totali-
tarians achieve their objectives, the
United States will hereafter face a
"closed economy" This will mean less
foreign trade, q probable decline in living
standards of home and tho rereSsitv for