U.S. IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 45, 16 November 1937, Page 5

U.S. IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS

-P/aiB Asan

Not Disposed to Risk Much Against Japan BRITISH LEAD AWAITED

(B* Telegraph-

.-Coprricbt.)

(Eeceived 16, 8,45 a.m.) NEW YOEK, Nov. 14. Although American sentiment still strongly supports China, it is increasingly evident that the United States 12 not disposed to risk unpleasant repercussions involving it in initiating penalties against. Japan. It is noteworthy that the strongest utterance thus far— namely, President Eoosevelt's speech on Oetober 5*— did not name Japan as the aggressor. In faet, observers are beginning to wonder if the world over-rated the importance of the change in United States foreign policy. implied therein. Certainly it marked the end of the isolation of the United States, but it is pointed out that the term, "quarantine," which excited international speculation, is still unexplained. Moreover, subsequent utterances of responsible* administrators do not suggest that the President 's Chicago speeeh is interpretable as committing the United States to serious action to punish aggressor nations. Britain's Responsibility. The United States iirst considers Britain is rnore entitled to take the iuitiative for paciflcation in the Far East, owing to her need to watch hex Pacific possessions, including Australia and New Zealand. The United States Government is aware of the danger to her own possessions in the event °f a spread of the conflict, but feels there would be ample warning of it. Secondly, the United States has not forgotten what is considerod as Britain's previous failure to honour the Nine-Power Pact, and believes that Japan's domination in Manchukuo would have been counteracted if Britain had supported the United States then. The episode left a bitter taste jn the mouth of practically every American statesman and constantly crops up in discussions on America 's responsibility in foreign affairs. Thirdly, Japan's good-will is an important factor in trade. American silk manufacturers aro dependent on Japan for raw material and the suspension of

supply would cahse a disruption oi the industry. Therefore an economic boycott would be desperately f ought. ' The resolution demandihg an economic boycott and the invocation of the Neutrality Act should not be taken too seriously. They x,re largely an expression of .the views of a mere handful of earnest but ineffective people, however well disposed. Infinitesimal Influence. As an example, an audience of 1000 at a luncheon arranged by the Foreign Policy Association yesterday listened to explanations from spokesmen on the Sino-Japanese situation- and ended in lottdly cheering China and hooting Japan. Thereafter they demanded a boycott of Japanese goods, but. the loudest demonstrator xealised that his influence in the United States policy was infinitesimal. The average citizen is still pursuing his own business unnoticeably moved by China's plight, and is content to leave matters to Washington. ,It is unfortunately too true that descriptions of Japan's capture of Kiating appearing in the Sunday newspapers will be given more attention than pious speeches for the punishment o£ the victorious aggressor. In addition, the United States is lately confronted with a nearer problem— namely, the development of Fascism in South America. The subjeet, even where it does not! immediately affect the United States, is commanding considerable space in the Press.