JAPAN'S WISH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 253, 26 October 1931, Page 7

JAPAN'S WISH.

DIRECT NEGOTIATION.

League's Manchuria Peace

Terms Rejected.

TILT AT BRITAIN.

(Onjted P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received 11 a.m.)

LONDON, October 25

A message from Tokyo states that the Japanese Government will renew its efforts to open direct.negotiations -with China for,a sattlement in Manchuria.; There, is. no, possibility of Japan's complying with the conditions stipulated by the League, to withdraw her troops, without guarantees from China. ■ - - < >■'. '.;. "'

The, Japanese newspapers criticise the British Ambassador to China, Sir Miles Lampson, and suggest that he has seized the opportunity to curry favour with China at Japan's expense. >.■' ']'.;,''■ •!'.,

The Council ..of the League of Nations at Geneva rejected by~l3 votes to 1 the Japanese counter-proposals for further negotiations in connection with the Manchur'ian dispute. The one vote was that of .Mr; Yoshizawa (Japan)'. V- ;

.;'■';' 13 Nations Against Japan.- . The following 13 States voted against Japan,:—Britain, Peru, Poland, the Irish Free State,- Panama, Guatemala, China, Spain,'-Yugoslavia," Germany", Italy, France and Norway. '■.'•'■' '".'.,•,-■

The Council agreed, to' the original resolution calling upon, Japan to_ complete by November 10 the evacuation of her troops outside the railway zone.

Mr. -, Yo'shizawa read a declaration to the : effect that Japan could not evacuate her troops into'the railway zone until she was absolutely assured of the security of her nationals. ' She had no intentions of making war on China and no territorial ambitions/

The resolution ' does not possess any legal value, because it was not unanimous, and will stand merely as a record of the.opinion of,the Council

Speeches were delivered by every member of the Council. Viscount Cecil, said the greatest asset of the League -was, patience, and he still hoped that a satisfactory' result would be attained. ' .'•' M. Briand again made a strong appeal to the Chinese and Japanese Governments to'refrain from action likely to complicate the "situation. ' The Council will , meet again ( on November 10, unless called earlier ifor an emergency. '-~.-. .

China opposes the Japanese counterproposals, which included a SinoJapanese agreement., on the fundamental principles governing their relations before the' withdrawal of Japan's troops.

M. Briand, who -was fatigued and almost inaudible, defended the League. He declared that considering the-means .at its disposal it had proved its great courage in the face of difficulties, .People had expressed astonishment that the dis;pute already had three weeks,but it was impossible to settle such questions in a short time owing-to the necessity \of,'. unanimity, including the' disputants..' ~ ' .'.,' -; • ( .' ~' '