American Attitude

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 February 1932, Page 7

American Attitude

Received Wednesday, 7.50 p.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23

Duo to a series of conferences between White House officials, Mr. H. L. Stimson and Senator Borah, it is expected that Mr. Stimson to-morrow will issue a statement bearing on the SinoJapanese crisis. Admiral Taylor reported that Japan bad expressed her “absolute desire to avoid any friction w’ith the United States.

The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Dobuchi, asserted that he did not know the number of Japanese troops involved in the Shanghai battle, but any reinforcements added would bo sent to “avoid further aggravation of the situation.”

Other Japanese authorities here emphatically deny the reported cruelties by Japanese troops to Chinese civilians. Inquiry among officials indicated that the Government had made no efforts to advise Britain in advance of what it might or might not do in response to any request from the League. The Government apparently is not greatly interested in the suggestion of the League Assembly that the United States join an arms embargo against both China and Japan. It is felt that American public opinion will not support such a move, since it strongly favours China. Moreover, it is believed that China in such a case would only suffer, since it is felt that Japan is already well equipped. A distinguished friend of President Hoover ventured the opinion that the economic boycott proposed would find no support in Cabinet and little in the Senate. He said that a few Senators were somewhat in favour of the idea, but would change their minds in the debate, especially if Senator Borah got into action. "With the Japanese stewing in their own juice, why all these petitions?" he asked. “They are well stopped at Shanghai."