BITTER SPEECH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 271, 15 November 1937, Page 7

BITTER SPEECH.

CHINA'S DELEGATE.

Conciliation and Soft Words Of No Avail.

JAP. POLICY CONDEMNED. United Press Association. —Copyright. BRUSSELS, November 14. In a plea to the Powers to withhold supplies from Japan and to send help to China Dr. Koo, in the course of a bitter speech at a full session of the Nine-Power Conference, said: "The conference is back where it started. "Neither the spirit of conciliation nor soft words are of any avail. Japan will not collaborate in the interests of peace. "The efforts of the conference are taken as a sign of weakness and have served only to inspire Japan's inso- , lence. I "Japan's claim that her actions are in self-defence is a deliberate distortion. China for four years has patiently sought a peaceful settlement. The present conflict is the result of perpetual dual diplomacy which has convinced China of her danger and of the futility of direct negotiations." Were the Powers to accept changes by force of arms and to condone treaty violations ? He appealed to them to contribute to stability and peace by upholding treaty obligations. "If the conception of a change to violence prevails, we shall be faced with international anarchy," said Mr. Norman Davis (America). "Respect for treaties and observance of the pledged word constitute the only immutable foundation of peace. "I am confident that the conference could have helped China and Japan. There are compelling reasons for Japan's material self-interest in world peace and progress and why she should cooperate."

M. Delbos (France) said the problem could not be solved by force. It must be settled by peaceful means. There was danger of the conflict developing into a world war. British Foreign Secretary. Mr. Eden (Britain) said it was impossible for Britain to assent to the doctrine that the conflict was a matter for China and Japan alone. Britain based her foreign policy on respect for international law. No other was acceptable.

Britain could not admit the principle that dislike of a nation's Government or internal institutions justified another's interference in its internal affairs by force. It was in the interests of both the Powers waging an undeclared war that an agreed settlement be found immediately.

It was necessary carefully to consider the international situation which the Japanese refusal to attend the conference had created. The only foundation for world peace was respect for treaties, not national . ambitions, ideologies or alliances. "We are not opposed to change." said Mr. Eden, "but if changes continue to be based on force civilisation will proceed to its destruction with ever-increasing suffering." M. Potemkin (Russia) said the Soviet would support any peaceful action for the solution of the Far Eastern problem. Dr. Spaak (Belgium) submitted a draft declaration prepared by Britain, France, America and Belgium and the conference adjourned at 4.30 p.m. The draft declaration—a seven-page document—sweepingly refutes Japan's defence. It says Japan's concept of the issue is entirely different from that of most of the other nations. The conflict concerns all countries, whether signatories of the Nine-Power Treaty or the Paris Pact. There was no legal justification for violating another country's territory to prevent the spread of political doctrines. I If Japan's case were admitted it would I lead to general anarchy.

The Powers agree that, as the declared purpose of Japan is to destroy the will and the ability of China to resis't, direct negotiations would only prolong the war indefinitely. In the event of- Japan's continued" refusal to attend the conference the Powers must consider what attitude to take when one party claims to set aside a treaty which all the other parties hold to be operative. SOLID FRONT. Italy Only Exception Among The Powers. ALL-NIGHT SITTING. BRUSSELS, November 14. All but the Italian delegates to the Nine-Power Conference established a ! solid front against further consultation jof Japan. The session was resumed !in private at 5 p.m.

Britain, France, America, Australia, Canada, Portugal, Bolivia, Mexico, China, Sweden, Holland and Norway supported the draft declaration.

Italy's delegates made general representations. They suggested asking Japan to elucidate the section of her reply inviting the conference to make a contribution to the consonant realities of the situation.

This received no support. Thereupon Count Marescotti announced that Italy found the draft unacceptable.

Mr. S. M. Bruce (Australia), who was warmly applauded, supported the declaration. He said there was something greater behind the whole issue, namely, the sanctity of treaties and the honouring of the pledged word.

The declaration was discussed paragraph by paragraph before its adoption in principle, subject to reference to the Governments concerned, and the conference finally adjourned at 2 a.m. yesterday. It will reassemble at 4 p.m. on Monday, when the declaration probably will be formally adopted.

The modification of the draft included the elimination, at Russia"s instance, of any direct reference to Communism, also the suggestion of a further invitation being extended to Japan.