| OCR Text |
Show Clash With Japan Inevitable The discussion now being carried car-ried on by Ambassador Joseph Grew and Japanese officials in Tokyo reminds the people of this country that there are differences between the two governments and some may wonder about the background behind the negotiations. negotia-tions. The potential markets in China have always been a matter of concern to nations interested in promoting commerce. The open Door Policy proclaimed the doctrine doc-trine of equal commercial opportunities op-portunities for all nations and subsequent treaties bound signatory signa-tory governments to respect the territorial integrity of China. The territorial integrity of China was important only because it was generally recognized that if any nation seized Chinese territory, the Open Door would be gradually gradual-ly closed. Japanese designs upon Chinese territory have been known for many years. Repeated efforts have been made by the Japanese to obtain an exclusive foothold in China. The invasion of Man-chukuo Man-chukuo occurred in 1931 when the Japanese saw that they could take advantage of world conditions condi-tions and secure their objective. At that time, Secretary of State Stimson set forth the position of this country saying that the United States would not recog nize territorial gains through the use of force. Subsequently, the United States has insisted that treaty rights can be modified only by agreement between the parlies attected. Our Government Govern-ment has repeatedly reserved American rights and respect for our interests. We have also offered offer-ed to consider any proposal Japan might make in discussion with with interested powers. More recently, the United States has given Japan notice of an intention to abrogate the existing ex-isting commercial treaty which was signed in 1911. This is in accordance ac-cordance with the pact, which provides that six months' notice must be given before either country can abrogate the undertaking. under-taking. The Japanese continue to pursue pur-sue a course in the Far East which prevents the United States -'rem securing the benefits that accrue to this nation under several sever-al treaties. In the meantime, we are obliged to respect Japanese rights under the commercial pact. The notice already given merely informs Japan that the United States, early in 1940 will have free hand to act as the people of this Country may think best. |
