QL.JU
\ nn mm
BRITISH EMBASSY,
Washington'; D* C*
August 8th, 1939*
No. 87S
My Lord,
In continuation of ray telegram Do* 335
of the 28th July, I have the honour to report that
the press has in general applauded the Administration's
action in denouncing the United States-Japanese
Commercial Treaty of 1911*   Shore ore, however, a few
.exceptions»
2* She Nov York Hearst newspaper calls the
denunciation "a reckless deed" for which none can doubt
that Japan will take reprisals.   It will, says the
editorial, hardly serve the Interests of the United
States at all, but will "aronumentally" serve those of
China, Jjtagland and Russia*   "England's chestnuts were
never pulled out of any fire with greater timeliness*
The United States has never played »ore completely
Into English hands''".   As His Majesty's Consul General
In San Francisco remarks in reporting that the local
Hearst press has taken a similar line, the Hearst
press seems now "prepared to go to all lengths in
condoning Japanese misbehaviour so long as the interests
of isolationism are thereby served."   The Hew York
"Journal of Commerce!1 also shows some misgivings as
regards the commercial effect of a step taken ehlefly
for political reasons.   It points out that any stop
which jeopardises the extensive United States-Japanese
commerce/
The Sight Honourable
J Kits r* w
The Viscount Halifax, &• %| \
etc*, etc.,
etc
VALM:CBsACEM;CL
3
- 8 •
commerce In raw materials mat work great economic Injury
to both countries although Japan will suffer moat* Zt
notes with approval Mr. Hall's statement that discussions
for a new trade treaty may be Inaugurated shortly if
conditions are propitious, and It hopes that every effort
will be made to avoid piling up now obstacles to
commerce*   The "Chicago Tribune", usually so hostile to
Mr* Roosevelt, found its guns rather spiked on this
occasion by the faot that denunciation of the treaty had
first boon proposed by the Republican Senator Vandenberg*
tt still, however, managed to hint that the President's
objeet is not so much to protect American rights in
China aa to threaten war in the interest of some other
nation*
3* Apart from these dissentient voloos there is
remarkable unanimity In press comment from all parts of
the country>  The burden of comment Is that whatever
Groat Britain may find it advisable or necessary to concede
to Japanese demands..* the United States has made up. its
mind that it will stand up for American rights in the
Par East*   Such a deduction appears to bo influenced by
a belief or hope that the Administration intends in aim
months* time, if necessary, to put an embargo on the
export of war materials to Japan or at the very least
to use tariffs aa a weapon against Japanese trade* The
left-wing "Nation" believes the Administration should
bo encouraged, by public approval, to embargo the export
of war-materials to Japan and prohibit the Import of
Japanese goods into the United States*   9ha Intellectuality
left-wing "Hew Republic" though it welcomes the
denunciation/
denunciation as a atop long overdue, thinks Mr.
Roosevelt will find himself under heavy attack if he
goes as far even as embargoing the export of war-
materials as proposed by Senator Pitt man.   this aspect
of the satter also leads His Majesty** Consul General
at San Francisco to say In the report from which I
have already quoted*   "The a till small voice of self
Interest (not umproapted by Japanese Influence) la,
however, already making itself audible.   Will the Pacific
Coast already beset by economic difficulties, be content
to jeopardise trade connections with a most important
customer to maintain an ideal or redress the wrongs of
a few American missionaries?   It is predicted that, as
the six months pass before the Treaty lapses, arguments
against converting a threat Into action may present
themselves la a fiercer light" •
4* According to the press of August 7th> Senator
Key Plttnaan, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, has predicted that unless the attitude of
Japan towards American citizens in China changed
materially for the better Congress would authorise
"retaliatory measures" at its next session.   He hoped,
however, that the Government ef Japan would be actuated
by calmer reasoning and, by respecting the rights of
American citizens, weald remove a stumbling block towards
the restoration of the high degree of friendship that
had so long existed between the two countries.   He added,
however, that the actions of the United States Government
indicated quite clearly "that the American Government
does net intend to recognise any new order in China" •
- 4 •
8* Z am Bending copies of this despatch to
Hia Majesty's Ambassadors at SJofejo and Shanghai.
Z have tha honour to be.
With the highest respeot.
My Lord,
Your Lordship's aost obedient,
humble servant,
(For tea Ambassador)
(80S) ?*A4.» HASMm