AMERICA’S NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1933, Page 5

AMERICA’S NEWS

ON ARMS EMBARGO

SURPRISE AT BRITISH POLICY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegi aph—Copyright.) NEW YORK, February 27. New York Times Washington correspondent says : —Officials at Wasnington have expressed surprise, rather

than enthusiasm, ovej- Sir J. Simon’s announcement on Britain’s Far East, ern arms embargo toMay. ’Not only th 6 State department officials, but the ‘Congressional leader®, of both 1 parties voiced an assurance that no action in connection with such embargo twill be taken at this session of Congress. Furthermore many express th e opinion that Britain w-'® aware that tin’s was the situation when she acted.

What' the attitude of the Roosevelt Administration will be is not revealed. Senator Hull (Secretary of State elect) is the only prospective official at Washington capable of clarifying the (situation. ; Ho has declined, t.o make any .statement. Ther e i® a strong feeling, as expressed by Senator Borah among others, that the embargo would be a block to China rather than to Japan. Others saw a chance of 'Unnecessarily offending Japan, -without any beneficial effect. Sir J. Simon’s announcement 1® interpreted as having two possible explanations. Firstly, Britain may not be fundamentally interested in the l Far East, but they may he contemplating florae situation arising an Europe for which tan embargo in th e Far E p «t would serve as a convenient precedent. Secondly Britain may believe the (League may move for a definite embargo on Japan, in which case Britain could claim that she ha® already imposed one (which conveniently includes China.

‘Sir J. Simon’s announcement overshadowed the earlier States Department’s announcement that America could co-onerate with ttm League Committee of Twenty-one. The note confirming thi® will he despatched to Geneva, in a few days.

The 'Geneva League officials appear pleased at the statement by Mr Samson issued- or. ‘Saturday, hut would ilikn a more definite commitment. iM-r Stmson’s statement declared the Leagues non recognition policy and also the Lytton .Commission findings agreed “substantially” with his Government’s position. He further &a ! d the Government was in “general accord” with the League conclusions, and 'offered its co-operation “in so fa r as it is appropriate under th e . treaties to which this Government is a party." Mr Stimson has Been on conference with Senator Hull, and is apparently proceeding according to hi® ideas. He emphasised he would keep the situation “elastic,” and so leave the coming administration full 'latitude, in dealing with the problems as they arise. It assumed the offering _ of co-operation mean® that an American observer will sit with a Committee of Twenty-one, but tin® is not expected to be arranged immediately. A report that France is ready to participate in any embargo which Britain and the United States declared is viewed with some scepticism. It l® thought possible, she more than ‘Britain, is anxious to prevent the League taking any definite step®. agr mst Japan without including China, m fact, the position of both Britain and Francis is viewed here as relatively one of friendship to Japan. *

EMBARGO HELPFUL TO JAPAN

BORAH OPPOSES PROPOSAL

WASHINGTON, February 27

Senator Borah, Oluurm.n of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sail'd to-day that tie was opposed to joining the European powers in an ,o m bargo on export# ol arms to both China and Japan, on the ground that it' would be of more assistance to Japan. . With the proposed general authorisation for the President. to declare an embargo against arms shipment at a standstill in the S3iuite > Wl e lead “ s ,cif the U.S. House have decided to delay any action on .a similar measure .affecting this* continent, ■ until Mr Roosevelt expresses -his opinion upon 6iich a step. The Democratic leaders in the H OIIS ' blocked action on tlie proposal ol President Hoover for an arms embargo (affecting this continent. The Geneva advisory committee with which the United .States will cooperate, is not the conciliation committee, hut another committee, b n U .- lavly organised, for the purpee m following the developments m the Fax East, and acting upon them as th,y progress. , No imitation has been meen.ejrt .o thß 'United States to join th e G»«* conciliation committee, as rt wu no, <MOr «“”» int '> ” JT" decides to re-enter negotiation* at Ge- •*** "/S Tho State Department mad, ,t clthnt «,y notion of this admin,strat.cn not desitned to bind the administration. •

CHINA’S DEFENSIVE RIGHT. LONDON, February ? 7 The Chinee legation, commenting on Sir J. Simon’s announcement, contended that China should he exempt from fiho .?rni? ban. The League saving adjudged Japan as the aggressor,

China ought 'to be allowed to obtain •arms, and similar assistance, if veisired. EMBARGO' ON S. AMERICA ? GENEVA, February 27. Captain Tien (Britain), with fhr concurrence of the French delegation, proposed an embargo of munitions to Paraguay and' Bolivia. The League •Council <will discuss the question ?owhen T-p .Tapanes,-. and Phinoee attitude should be interesting.