New York Times; Hot. 19, 1939
H BIGHTS IN CHINA
Meets Tokyo Assertion of Shift
With Reaffirmation of Our
Policy on China
SAYS NOTES GAVE VIEWS
Washington Shows No Sign of
Preparing to Protect British
Interests in the Far East
By BERTRAM D. HULEN"
Special to The Nbw York Timss.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17—The as-
sertion of Yaklchlro Sums, the
Japanese Foreign Office spokes-
man, in Shanghai yesterday that
the United States Government in
official communications to Tokyo
had admitted that America was not
blind to new realities in East Asia
was met today with a reaffirmation
of American rights in China by
Sumner Welles, Acting Secretary of
State.
Mr. Welles discussed the subject
briefly in response to questions at
his press conference. He pointed out
that the position of the United
States concerning developments in
East Asia in recent years had been
set forth in three communications
to the Japanese Foreign Office, all
of which had been published. There
Is nothing, be declared, that in any
way varies from the point of view
I enunciated in those communica-
tions. Beyond' that he had nothing
to say for the present in comment-
ing on Mr. Suma's statement.
Secretary Welles had reference
first, to the note of April 29, 1984,
which expressed the-opmTbtr*that
"treaties -can lawfully be modified
or be terminated, but only by
processes prescribed or recognized
or agreed upon by parties to them."
The second note, of Oct. 6, 1938.
Insisted upon observance ofATtTeTl-
can rights and Interests in China.
Third Note in December, 1938
The third note, of PjfoakJ.MS,
- Mr. Welles had particularly"flgBH
in his comment. In that communi-
cation the United States reserved
all rights In China and declared
that International arrangements
could be altered only by orderly
processes of negotiation and agree-
ment among* the interested parties,
but announced a readiness to con-
sider any proposals Japan might
make in discussions with represen-
: tatives of the other powers whose
rights and interests were involved.
The reaffirmation of the Ameri-
can position was obviously calcul-
ated not to interfere with the dis-
cussions that Joseph C. Crew, the
United' States Ambassador to Jap-
an, is having with the Foreign Of-
fice in Tokyo, looking to an im-
provement in relations, but it was
Interpreted as moaning thafethe
United States was not retreating
' from its position. It is believed that
this held particular significance at
a time when, according to reports.
Great Britain through discussions
;-with the Japanese may be prepar-
ing the way for a partial retreat
' from her position in China. -
On the other hand there is noth-
| lng that is said In authoritative cir-
clet that would confirm some im-
pressions that with Britain In-
volved in a European war the
United States was contemplating
.protecting; British Interests in the
Far East.
Nor does there appear to be war-
rant at this time, from what Is said
..n official circles, for any belief
that President Roosevelt will fol-
low .the lead of Senator Key Pitt-
man, chairman of the Committee
on Foreign Relations, and encour-
age Congress to vote an economic
embargo against Japan If relations
are unsatisfactory after next Janu-
ary when the 1011 commercial
treaty expires j through denuncia-
tion of the United States.
Course Depends on Talks
Whether that treaty will be re-
Slaoed by another accord preauma-
ly will depend much upon the
character of the conversations Am-
bassador Grew Is now conducting'.
No details concerning those con-
versations have been revealed here,
other than they they are being
pursued frankly and patiently.
It Is doubted that the attitude of
the Unleed States will result in an
intensification of Japan's campaign
In China. If for no other reason
than that for a long time Tokyo
has seemed to have been exerting
a maximum military effort. It is
also doubted that our attitude will
force Japan into the arms of Rus-
sia. Obviously Mr. Grew's tact arid
diplomatic skill, as well as firm-
ness, are counted upon to minimize
any such possibility.
Moreover, while it Is realized that
Japan and Russia may reach under-
standings over fishery and other
.natural resources at Sakhalin Is-
land and perhaps make other local
arrangements, such as the recent
truce on the Mongolian border.'Jt I?
not believed, in view of basic fac-
tors, that they will enter intoVan
alliance, at least in any circum-
stances now envisaged. \
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