The blunt outspokenness of Mr. Joseph C. Grew, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, in his speech before. the America-Japan Society, could not but cause a sensation, but on reflection it will be appreciated that all that the Ambassador did was to re-enunciate what all along has been the attitude of the United States Government with regard to the situation caused by the outbreak of hostilities between China and Japan. It has been known all along that Washington was wholly determined upon the fullest protection of the long established rights of American citizens in China, and the Ambassador's speech coming as it does after the denunciation of the American-Japanese Treaty, and before the opening of discussions for the negotiation of a new instrument, may be taken as serving to clear away any misconceptions which may have existed as to Washington's stand in this matter. There is much of significance in such a statement as this;—"I suppose there is not a person here who does not know that American public opinion strongly resents some of the things which Japanese armed forces are doing in China today, including actions against American rights and legitimate interests in China." It is a warning that the facts are known not only to the United States' Government but to the people as well, and that the latter are firmly behind the former in carrying on the policy which has been decided upon. The reception which the speech has had throughout the world and particularly in the United States should give the Japanese Government furiously to think, for there is displayed a unanimity of support which it would be unwise to ignore. The realities of the situation have been exposed by the American Ambassador in language which permits of no misunderstanding. The United States are not prepared to recognize the establishment of any new order in Asia which deprives their citizens of the rights and interests which have been honourably and legitimately acquired, and in making that as plain as he did Mr. Grew was really acting in a most friendly manner towards Japan. His speech permits of no misconception. It clears the ground for any conversations which may be commenced for the renewal of a trade agreement between the two countries, and serves adequate notice upon the Japanese Government that abandonment of American rights in this part of the world is certainly going to be no part of any price which has to be paid for a betterment in U.S.-Japanese relations. Japanese reaction to the speech will be awaited with considerable interest. At the present time press opinion appears to be somewhat mixed, but there can be no gainsaying the fact that Mr. Grew in saying what he did in Ino way worsened the situation, and indeed he may be found in the ultimate result to have made a very effective contribution to a betterment of the general situation in the Far East.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.