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July 28, 1941

Braeland Joins U.S. Embargo on Japan
Japanese Assets Seized, Diplomatic Relations Severed

BRAELAND CITY, July 28, 1941 (BP) – The Avery Government announced today that Braeland officially joined the embargo imposed upon the Empire of Japan by both the United States and United Kingdom. In so doing, all Japanese assets in Braeland have now been seized and the Braelander Legation in Tokyo, which was notified in advance, was closed and evacuated. In turn, officials at the Japanese Legation located in Braeland City were notified this morning and given 24 hours to leave the country.

The move comes in light of Tokyo’s continued aggression throughout China and the rest of Southeast Asia. On July 24, Japanese forces began their occupation of France’s Indo-China colonies with the blessing of the Vichy government, which is controlled by Japan’s ally, Germany. Japan then moved to occupy both the American Cam Ranh naval base, located just 800 miles from the Philippines, as well as the British base at Singapore.

American reaction was swift. U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt swung into action by freezing all Japanese assets in America on July 26. Britain and the Dutch East Indies immediately followed suit.

Facing increased pressure from its allies and calls from the opposition to act at once, Prime Minister Douglas Avery called an emergency session and stood up in the House of Commons this morning to announce that Braeland was joining its American and British partners in condemning the continued Japanese aggression.

“The blatant disregard for international law by the Empire of Japan cannot continue unchecked,” declared Sir Avery. “I have informed the Department of Foreign Affairs to act immediately in seizing all Japanese assets held in Braeland and to coordinate the comprehensive embargo on all trade with the Empire of Japan. I have also notified our Minister for Defense to mobilize our armed forces in preparation for the defense of Braeland. We will continue to work closely with our Allies in defending freedom in the South Pacific.”

Although the loss of trade and commerce with Braeland pales in comparison to its loss with the United States and United Kingdom, the combined embargo is expected to hit Japan hard. Nearly three-fourths of its overseas trade is now cut off. That includes over 80 percent of its imported oil. While Japan no doubt has allocated oil reserves, it is not clear how much it has stockpiled or how long its industrial and military production can continue unaffected. But while the Avery government expressed cautious optimism that Japan would back off from its occupation of Southeast Asia and ease tensions in the region, the country could not ignore the heightening threat Japan poses in the region.

“While our hope is that aggressors will see reason and step back from the precipice of unprecedented conflict, we must nevertheless act in accord with realities. We need to recognize that further sacrifices may be needed. We therefore ask all Braelanders to stand firm in the face of threats to our freedom and peace. ”

United Leagues Facing Loss of Japanese-Born Players

While the embargo and severing of formal relations with Japan will no doubt impact Braeland’s economy, it will also affect the nation in other respects as well. Perhaps the most noticeable will be the makeup of the United Leagues and their affiliated farm systems for the upcoming 1941-42 season. The cutting off of formal relations could deal some of the teams a significant blow as star players such as Kingston Pelicans’ Okura Ito and defending United Cup champions Stratford Barons’ Kazuhiko Chikafuji will now be denied entry to the country to continue their careers in the United Leagues.

According to the United Leagues Commissioner’s office, the various Leagues employed a little over 100 players from Japan at last season’s end as well as five coaches. While the Commissioner’s office declined to comment further on this story at this time, a spokesman for the Braeland City Monarchs who asked not to be identified confirmed that all teams were informed this morning that all contracts involving players who hold Japanese citizenship were terminated effective immediately.

“We were informed that all Japanese-born players previously employed by us will no longer be available for the upcoming season and we will need to make alternate plans immediately.”

For the Monarchs, this will mean the loss of 42-year old relief pitcher Noriaki Ito and three minor league players, according the spokesman. But, as he noted, “the Monarchs on the whole, are getting off fairly lightly. There are other teams that will be impacted much more than us.”

In addition to the above mentioned players, other notable players from Japan that will not be available for the upcoming season will be 31-year old relief pitcher Masahiro Sugahara of Kingston, 34-year old starting pitcher Hidetada Kobayashi of the Cambria Cannons, 32-year old catcher Nobuhito Gato of the Brunswick Legends and 25- year old left fielder Toin Tsuji of the Cobourg Red Stockings, who finished second in the Eastern League Rookie of the Year voting this past season.

What this will mean for the balance of power in the both the Eastern and Western Leagues and how long the embargo will be in place remains to be seen.

A spokesman for the Wolseley Unions, who also asked for anonymity, stated: “It’s a shame really, that we are losing these fine players. But we understand the events taking place on the world scene are beyond our control and we can only adjust to the situations as they affect us. Our hope is that international developments will improve soon and we can focus on the business of baseball and not fear.”

That sentiment is no doubt held by all Braelanders as they come to terms with the new realities facing the entire South Pacific.