One of the arguments officials have used most effectively against its enforcement has been the fact that Japan and China from the start of hostilities had maintained "friendly" relations to the extent that their diplomatic missions still technically functioned.
In view of Japan's failure to declare war, Mr. Roosevelt would still technically be correct in a refusal to invoke the act, but observers did not lose sight of the fact that popular demand for "strict neutrality" might be worked up to a point where it would be politically feasible to decree its enforcement, Against such a compelling demand arising was the fact that public opinion generally feels enforcement of neutrality would be likely te work more hardships on China than Japan.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.