THE CONDEMNATION OF JAPAN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 13, 8 October 1937, Page 5

THE CONDEMNATION OF JAPAN

— United Pr6ss Association —

Ex-Secretary of State Urges Measures "WE CANNOT PLAY HERMIT"

Py Electric Telegrapli-

-Copyriglit.

(Received 8, 8.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 7. TRe Washington correspondent of the New York Times lnterprets the State Department's statement branding Japan as an aggressor as indieating that the United States is prepared to participate in a conference under the Nine Power Treaty. The correspondent continues : — "It is believed to mean that the United States has abana doned its neutrality pdlicy and has substituted a policy of dealing actively with aggressors. "Officials are thoroughly aware of the implications in relation to the association of the United States with the League of Nations, and also of the renewed force given the Kellogg Pact. They appreciate the fact that they might produce adverse reactions from those favouring the policy of isolation, but ,it is stated that the policy has been reached after long deliberation. " Mr H. L. Stimson, former Secretary of State, in'a letter to the New York Times, aceuses English and American interests o f actively assisting Japanese aggression, and says that Britain and the United States should stop supp lying Japan with war commodities. Mr Stimson continues : — "Is our statesmanship so "pitiful that we are incapable of devising means of ending our participation in this slaugliter? I believe it can be achieved without serious danger to us." Mr Stimson asserts that the neutrality legislation makes the possibility of the United States being drawn into war only more eertain. "Japan," Mr. Stimson added, "may temporarily occupy large portions of^China, and conscript Chinese fighting-power in order to make trouble elsewhere, thus causing great apprehension and danger in the North Pacific." The New York Times, in an editorial it publishes to-day, atates; — "We cannot honourably and safely play the role of hermit in the modern world. The premises whereupon we based our hopes for peace and goodwill in the Pacific are being undermined. "It would be entirely proper for the United States to summon the signatories to the Nine-Power Treaty to a conference. At least, it would provide the means for considering what action could be taken in the defence of wt>rld peace. "