GREAT BRITAIN: Open Door Jam

Last week Great Britain took a stand on Far Eastern policy as forceful as that of the outspoken U. S. In a long, sharp note, which greatly resembled Secretary of State Cordell Hull’s New Year’s demands on Japan, Britain plainly showed that “appeasement” does not extend to the Orient:

“His Majesty’s Government desire to make it clear that they are not prepared to accept or to recognize changes of the nature indicated [closing of China’s Open Door] which are brought about by force. They intend to adhere to the principles of the Nine-Power Treaty and cannot agree to unilateral modification of its terms.”

Like the U. S., Britain professed willingness to discuss treaty revisions with Japan, but only in conference with “a fully independent Chinese Government when peace has been restored.”

At week’s end France also was reported to be preparing what was termed in diplomatic circles a “last warning” to Japan before the Democracies resorted to economic pressure.