EASTERN PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1933, Page 5

EASTERN PROBLEM

PACIFIC' POLICY ACTIVITY OF AMERICAN FLEET. (United Press A jsociation—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. ) NEW YORK, February 16. It is pointed out time the Japanese mandated areas in the Pacific Ocean cu.t right across the United Sta.es lines or communication, and it is expected that the British Empire and America will be more closely drawn together in dealing with this situation that affects them .so- closely. Jit is felt that the question is no longer simply one of Manchuria, butratner the wider one of the entire Pacific policy, which must be settled on the broadest grounds conducive to world peace. , The announcement weeks ago that the combined American Fleet would be kept in the Pacific Ocean until 1934, ostensibly to- reduce the expenditure of returning the Atlantic division to the Atlantic Ocean, was very sceptically commented upon ,by a Tokyo Foreign Office spokesman. His remarks have been cabled to the press of the United States, and have compelled the American public to realise the delicacy of the relations now between the two countiffhs, S' Y. There are reports to-night that, if Japan issues an ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of the Chinese troops from Jel'iol province, the Nanking Government will construe it as a declaration of war. This opens up an unpleasant- vista- of further complkunions.

Such hostilities, it is believed here, would increase the danger of involving one or more of the western powers.

American sentiment generally approves of Lord Lytton’s- statement that the- League needs no force for the enactment of i>'.s decrees. Concerning the Chimese-Japanese affairs, the hope is strong here that the situation would be cleared up by a Japanese realisation of -the exact nature of the predominant part of the world sentiment.

JAPAN’S LMPENDING BREACH

DISRUPTION WITH LEAGUE,

WASHINGTON, February 15.

The impending break of the Japanese with the League of Nations, while it is increasing the. reluctance of the official circles here., .to- make any comment has obviously struck a grave note. The national feeling that the situation is so extremely' delicate that even the most justifiable action or reaction here might further seriously complicate the situation,. is .clearly seen.

The foreign relations committee of the House of Representatives to-day refused President Hoover’s request for. legislation empowering the President to declare an -arms embargo 'to the nations throughout the , woilld, under certain circumstances, and where the chief executive has first secured the co-cperatioii of other arms manufacturing Countries.

I'll© commiiiae approved of a resolution authorising a Presidential arms embargo only to American countries. Representative Pish forced the ’amendment. He said afterwards: “I feel that the resolution was aimed at Japan, and Japan, would so interpret it. We would, if other nations agreed to it, be left “holding the bag” in the event of war with Japan. We have ships and we would have to do the lighting. I am opposed to all this bluff and blustering against Japan. I do not agree with something that Japan has done, but if we started to mind out own business we should get along better.”

BRITAIN AND 1 THE FAR EAST,

RUGBY, February 15

Speaking at Southampton, Sir J. Simon said: “The Far East gives the greatest concern to every supporter of the League, not only because of the seriousness and extent of the conflict between two members of the League, but because the future of the League may be vitally affected by the outcome. Here,, again, the British policy has been perfectly consistent throughout. We seek to act as a good member of the League, and firm friends of both sides. The League, is not a super-State, exercising over-riding physicial compulsion over its members. It is an international organisation which is seeking to substitute cooperation for force and conciliation for conflict, and if conciliation for the moment fails, the League has the duty of making a report and recommendation®, with firmness and fairness, in order that the influence of world opinion may make, its full contribution to,, .a solution and settlement.”

EFFECT ON MONEY MARKET,

B.UGBY, February 15

On. it he stock markets, a feature of the day was the weakness of Japanese and Chinese bonds, which generally clctj dined one i)> over thitee joints, as the result of Japan’s reply to tho League, and the other news regarding the Far Easorn dispute. GENEVA, February 16. (Received Feb. 17 at 10.40 a.m.) The Japanese delegation issued a lengthy memorandum stating that, if a, rupture occurs between Japan and the League, the blame will rest noth the Committee of Nineteen,