DESPERATE POSITION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11495, 24 November 1931, Page 5

DESPERATE POSITION

germ of a solution JAPAN AGREES TO INQUIRY LEAGUE CONSIDERS SCOPE OF COMMISSION IU.P.A. by Elec. T’ef. Copyright.) PARIS, Nov. 22. The Chinese and Japanese delegates again faced each other at a public session of the League Coun. cil. and mutually disclaimed responsibility for the events in Manchuria The debate centred round the Japanese proposal for sending a League commission of inquiry. Air Yohhizawa stipulated that the commission should not be empowered to intervene in the Sino-Japanese negotiations. or supervise military movements. Subject to such stipulations, Japan was prepared to carry out her declared intention of withdrawing within the railway zone with tho least possible delay. Dr. Sze insisted that the 'Japanese military occupation was a violation of the covenant and was the crux of the situation, and that the withdrawal was the only solution. China was willing to accept neutral co-operation under the auspices of the League, guaranteeing Japanese lives and property, but could not agree to the despatch of a commission of inquiry except on the basis of the immediate withdrawal of the Japanese troops., M. Briand said the suggested commission contained the germ of a solution of the desperate position. It was most important that further bloodshed should not occur before the arrival, and during the presence off the commission. The Council could privately consider the contribution and scope of the commission. M. Briand said he was glad to register the Japanese assent to the appointment of a commission of inquiry to be sent to Manchuria. He hoped that during the constitution of the commission and until its arrival, a better atmosphere would he created, and that no incident capable of raising new difficulties would be allowed to take place TTe made a passionate appeal to China and Japan to come to an understanding. The session then idjourned.

PROPOSED COMMISSION. FRENCH, BRITISH AND AMERICAN DELEGATES. (U.P.A. bv Elec. T*l. Copyright.! PARIS, Nov. 22. In accordance with instructions from Tokio.. Mr. Yoshizama suggested that the commission should consist of Chinese and Japanese members with a Frenchman, owing to' M. Briand’s presidency of the Council, a Brit-on, owing to Britain’s impartiality and interests in the Far East, and an American, as the greatest power also interested in Manchuria. He further suggests an inquiry, both in China and Manchuria, comprising events leading to the crisis, including the non-fulfilment of treaties, the boycott of the Japanese, and many similar matters.