MANCHURIAN DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 October 1931, Page 8

MANCHURIAN DISPUTE

JAPAN AND LEAGUE. [BY CABLE —PEESS ASSN. —OOPYBIGHT.] RUGBY, October 24. When the League of Nations Council met it was learned that conversations lasting two hours between. Mr. Yoshizawa and M. Briand had had no result. Mr. Yoshizawa read a declaration 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 intention of making war on China and had no territorial ambitions. The Council then adopted a resolution containing its proposals for the settlement of the dispute. Thirteen States, Britain, Peru, Poland, the Irish Free State, Panama, Guatemala, China, Spain, Jugo-Slavia, Germany, Italy, France and Norway, voted for it. Speeches were delivered by every member of the Council.

Viscount Cecil said that th© greatest asset the League had was patience and he still hoped that with wisdom a satisfactory result would be attained. M. Briand again made a strong appeal to Ihe Chinese and Japanese Governments to refrain from any action that was likely to complicate the situation.

The Council will meet again on November IG, unless called together earlier for an emergency.

DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS.

TOKIO, October 25.

Tho Government will renew its efforts to open direct negotiations with China for the settlement of the Manchurian dispute. There is no possibility of Japan complying with the conditions stipulated by the League of Nations. She will not withdraw her troops without guarantees from China for the safety of her nationals. Tho newspapers criticise Sir M. W. Lampson, British Minister, and suggest that ho has seized the opportunity to curry favour with China at Japan’s expense. CHINA’S OFFER. GENEVA, October 26. Mr Sze sent a letter to M. Briand declaring that China was ready to negotiate an arbitration treaty with Japan, similar to the several League countries’ treaties with the United States.