AMERICA'S ATTITUDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21116, 25 February 1932, Page 11

AMERICA'S ATTITUDE.

SERIES OF CONFERENCES. EARLY STATEMENT LIKELY. ECONOMIC BOYCOTT PLAN. ASSENT NOT PROBABLE. By Telejvnph—Press Association—Copyr.ight. (Received February 24. 0.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Feb. 23. A scries of conferences was held to-day between White House officials, the Secretary of State, Mr. H. L. Stimson, and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of tho Senate, Mr. W. E. Borah. As a result it is expected that Mr. Stimson to-morrow will issue a statement bearing on the Sino-Japanese crisis. lho commander of the United States naval forces at. Shanghai, Admiral Taylor, has reported that the Japanese naval commander, Admiral Nomura, expressed the absolute desire of Japan to avoid any friction with tho United States. The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Debuohi, asserts that he does not know tho number of Japanese troops involved in the fighting at Shanghai, but any reinforcements would be sent to avoid a further aggravation of the situation. Other Japanese authorities here emphatically deny reported cruelties by the Japanese troops to Chinese civilians. Inquiries among officials indicate that the United States Government has made 110 efforts to advise Britain in advance what it may or may not do in response to any request from the League of Nations. The Government apparently is not greatly interested in tho suggestion that tho Assembly of the League might propose that the United States should join in an arms embargo against both China and Japan. It. is felt that public opinion in America would not support such a move sinco it strongly favours China. Moreover it is believed that. China in that caso would be the only sufferer as it is felt that Japan already is well equipped. A distinguished friend of the President, Mr. Hoover, ventured the opinion that an economic boycott would find no support in the Cabinet and littlo in tho Senate. He says a few of the senators somewhat favour the idea, but they would change their minds in the debate, espacially if Mr. Borah got into action. " With the Japanese stewing in their own juice, why all theso petitions?" remarked the President's friend. " They are well stopped at Shanghai." An influential member of the Senate, Mr. G. H. Moses (Republican—NewHampshire), says there is no possibility of the United States declaring an economic boycott against Japan. STORIES RESENTED. ALLEGED ATROCITIES. JAPANESE STOP PRESS PASSES. (Received February 24. 11.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI. Feb. 24. As the result of the. publication in Shanghai of stories alleging that the Japanese have, committed atrocities—the truth of which is highly questionable—local press passes from Japanese headquarters for the front lines havo been indefinitely suspended. Foreign correspondents, however, are not affected. AUSTRALIA POSTED. PROGRESS OF CONFLICT. NO ACTION CONTEMPLATED. (Received February 24, 10.35 p.m.) CANBERRA, Feb. 24. Replying to a question in the House of Representatives to-day Mr. J. G. Latham, Attorney-General, said the. 1 Commonwealth Government, was beinc kept fully informed as to the SinoJapanese. conflict. Press reports also were substantially accurate. The Commonwealth was anxious for peace, but, it was not practicable for it to take any useful action apart from the League of Nation*. BRITAIN'S POSITION. " NOT TO BE INVOLVED." DELEGATE'S INSTRUCTION. LONDON. Feb. 23. The Sun-Herald news service says it is clear that Sir John Simon will return to Geneva with the Cabinet's last word, namely, that Article XVI. must not be invoked. Britain must not bo involved in war.