MANCHURIAN CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 20996, 9 January 1932, Page 13

MANCHURIAN CRISIS

* NINE-POWER TREATY INVOKED AMERICA TAKES THE INITIATIVE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 7. America’s invocation of the NinePower Treaty, of which Australia and New Zealand are among the signatories in the persons of Sir George Pearce and Sir John Salmond, is a grave sequel to the Manchurian crisis. The developments of the crisis which stirred America to this serious initiative are the continuation of the Japanese advance and the Japanese attack on the American Consul at Harbin. Mr Stimson’s acceptance of the apology for the attack has not satisfied American opinion. Viscount Cecil considers the invocation is of considerable importance, while another authority believes that it will entail a new conference concerning the Manchurian dispute, because the treaty provides that those who are involved shall confer in the case of an alleged breach of the pact by any Power concerned. Professor Gilbert Murray says he always regarded Japan’s action in Manchuria as inconsistent with the NinePower Pact. He regrets that America did not direct Japan’s attention to the pact at the beginning, when it could have been done with less friction. FOREIGN AMBASSADORS NOTIFIED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 8. (Received January 9, at 11.30 a.m.) It is stated in London that the American Government s proposal to send the Manchurian Note was communicated to Sir Ronald Lindsay, British Ambassador at Washington, a few days ago, and a copy was sent to him at the time of its despatch. It is understood that similar action was taken with the other Washington reprer sentatives of countries that are parties to the Nine-Power Treaty, It is recalled that at recent League Council meetings on the Manchurian situation the Japanese delegate gave a definite assurance to the League that Japan would observe the principle of the “ open door,” to which the American Note calls attention. As a nonmember of tho League, the United States is in somewhat different position from other interested Powers. The question is receiving the consideration of tho Foreign Secretary and the French Ambassador, M. Fleuriau, has called to see him on the matter. BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE DESIROUS OF STRICT NEUTRALITY. LONDON, January 8, (Received January 9, at 11.5 a.m.) The ‘ Sun-Herald ’ Service says the British Government shows no disposition to associate itself with the United States protest to Japan. It is evident that Britain is desirous of maintaining strict neutrality regarding Japan. The ‘ Daily Mail,’ in a leader, expresses tho opinion that the American Note is merely an attempt to assert the United States’ right to the maintenance of the open door in Manchuria. In any case, the British in no circumstances can allow themselves to become embroiled in war with Japan, which could only benefit the Chinese war lords and the Soviet.