Stimson Doctorine

In 1931, a dispute over a railroad explosion that happened in the city of Mukden (present-day Shenyang) between the Chinese and the Japanese. The dispute eventually led to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. In response of this action, the US Secretary of State, Henry Stimson issued the Stimson Doctrine. The doctrine states that the United States would not recognize any agreements between the Japanese and Chinese that limit free commercial intercourse in the region. During the 1920s and 1930s, the United States has taken a large interest in the far east. It engaged economic trade and investments with China. It also sent claimed territories such as the Phillipeens, Guam, and Hawaii. In order to show interest in these territories, the three-pronged Far Eastern policy. the policy included equal access to commercial opportunities in China, and a commitment to cooperate with other powers with the interests in the region. The treaty ended to prove ineffective to the situation, the Japanese continued to control Manchuria and for many years it remained in the control of the Japanese. Stimson responded to the situation by stating that the Japanese violated the Nine Power Treaty and as a result, the US would no longer be bound to the limitations agreements. A new start of a naval arm race.  

sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimson_Doctrine

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/mukden-incident