JAPAN’S POLICY ATTACKED

Southland Times, Issue 22813, 12 February 1936, Page 7

JAPAN’S POLICY ATTACKED

BOLD CRITICISM IN CONGRESS INTERFERENCE WITH CHINESE TRADE PACIFIC FLEET MENACE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.0 p.m.) Washington, Feb. 10. Senator Pittman, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, delivered an address in the Senate to-day so critical of the Japanese policy that it is feared it is likely to arouse worldwide attention. Senator Pittman claimed that Japan intended to close the door to China to America, “even if war is necessary to accomplish it,” and advocated, American naval and air forces, sufficient to “protect American rights.” “China is still an independent Government, at peace with the world and desirous of trading with us, and there is nothing in the circumstances that can interfere legally or, for long physically with such trade,” said Senator Pittman. He characterized as arrogant and impertinent the alleged statements by Admiral Takahashi that unless the United States renounced her naval policy aimed at the , expansion and protection of her foreign trade Japan would be forced to extend her fleet’s cruising radius to include New Guinea, the Celebes and Borneo, and establish a foothold in Formosa and the mandated South Sea islands. Senator Pittman declared that,, Congress would not be “bull-dozed” into the abandonment of national defence and the protection of America’s legitimate foreign trade or her commerce with China. Senator Lewis, who recently visited Russia, joined Senator Pittman in his attack on japan with the novel prediction that Japan and the Soviet would form an alliance against the United States for the domination of Asia to the exclusion of American trade, and would eventually co-operate in the seizure of Alaska and the Philippines. DEFENCE EXPENDITURE A RECORD ADDITIONS TO AIR FORCE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.0 p.m.) Washington, Feb. 10. The Military Appropriation Bill, introduced in Congress to-day, calls for the record expenditure of 572,000,000 dollars. Although of this 197,000,000 dollars is for non-military purposes, such as building waterways and other internal improvements which arc handled by the War Department, the allocation for military purposes is increased by 23,000,000 dollars. Funds for the construction of 565 fighting aeroplanes are included.