Evening star., 1941-11-14
Marines
Continued From First Page.)


direct question of whether such q
prospect Is imminent His answer
was that he sincerely trusted not.
Earlier the President had been
asked if he had any plans to confer
with Saburo Kurusu, the special
Japanese envoy now en- route to
Washington. The Chief Executive
said he had no plans as yet. and that
the order of reception of the Japa-
nese official will be determined by
the protocol decision of the State
Department.
AS a correspondent asked If he
believed that the American public
Is fully aware of the seriousness
OF the Pacific situation, the Presi-
dent said he believed so. but he
turned aside further questions on
the extent of this awareness.
Pressed for discussion of possible
plans for avoiding war in the Pa
cific, Mr.. Roosevelt took refuge in
his familiar device of declining to
comment on varying interpretations
OF his actions and policies. He said
that he did not know what might
be done, that the questioner didn't
know. and that no interpreter knew.
q. S. Holdings Scattered.
Asked If withdrawal of the ma
rines would leave American inter-
ests IN China unprotected, the Pres
ident pointed out that there are
o>,-,1 -
scattered all over China: while the
marines. totaling about 1000, have
been stationed only at the three
cities named.
He supposed. he added that a
measure of protection was afforded
at those points. but his implication
was that the marines were unable
to provide any protection in other
areas.
With regard to the specific matter
Of American rights in the Interna-
tional Settlement, Mr.. Roosevelt
has suggested that the question be
taken up with the Secretary of State
His own impression, he said, is that
this Government has no treaty
rights there as is the case with
British. French and japanese inter-
ests.
Mr.. Roosevelt refused to discuss
this Governments attitude toward
any efforts to close the Burma road.
reported imminent by japanese mil
itary forces in China Too many
factors are involved, the President
explained to permit discussion at
this time.
Appointment With ENJOYS.
In this connection it was noted
that on Mr.. Roosevelt's engagement
list for today was an appointment
with Viscount Halifax. the British
Ambassador, and Premier U Saw of
Burma.
At the time the President an
nounced consideration of Withdraw
ing American marines, the principal
speculation was that the action was
being dictated as a precautlon
against their annihilation or capture
In event a Japanese-Amerlcan war
broke out suddenly.
Army and Navy officials were
known to feel that the"marlne forces
ashore were too small to be OF
real value and were in highly vul-
nerable positions.
No change in the employment OF
American naval units in Chinese
waters was indicated either today or
In the previous announcement.
The Navy Department said the
Marines in China include members
of the 4th Marines and the ranking
officer is Col Samuel L. Howard,
who has directly under him some
$50 officers and men at Shanghai
Col. Howard lives at 4530 Cathedral
avenue NV, Washington.
There are approximately 50 officers
and men at Tientsin, under COM
mand of Maj. Luther A. Brown, OF
Annapolis. and a guard of 165 officers
and men at the American Embassy
in Peiping. They are commanded
by 1t. Col. William w. Ashurst.