FAR EAST CRISIS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11836, 18 January 1933, Page 5

FAR EAST CRISIS

INCONCLUSIVE' SESSION OF

LEAGUE

NEW. FORMULA MAY MEET WITH FAVOR.

s (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jap. 16

The 1 League of. Nations Gonnnitteo to consider the Sin'o-Japanese' dispute over Manchuria met in Geneva to-day qnd adjourned till Wednesday, after what is believed' to have been ail inconclusive, session.

The meeting was held in private and the principal business is understood to have been the receipt of a report by tlie -sub-commitee. Tho resolution drafted by this sub-com-mittee on December 20 hacl been rejected by the Japanese delegation met with little favor from China. However, the negotiations proceeded aiid modifications were made ‘in the resolution 1 as a result of new methods; of conciliation which have been examined within the last few days. The new formula had been despatched to Tokio and Nanking. It was considered. that the views of the two Governments were likely to bo received in time for to-day’s meeting, which, in their absence would probably be normal in chacncter.

COMMITTEE AWAITS TOKIO

STATEMENT.

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) GENEVA. Jan. 16.

The Committee of Nineteen deckled to wait for 48 hours for the Tokio statement before abandoning its efforts of conciliation, and is drafting a report, presumably including recommendations -in accordance with Article Fifteen of the Covenant. The decision followed Mr. Yen's letter protesting that the reported modification of the draft of the committee’s resolution allegedly suggested a compromise on tbe formula dispatched to the Japanese. Sir Eric Drummond explained that he had listened to the Japanese proposal, as he would Have clone to that of any member. He added that the report would mark the ultimate stage ill the League’s action short of recourse to sanctions.

It is understood that Sir John Simon is responsible for the paragraph in the letter to Mr. Veil that the committee did not propose waiting indefinitely before proceeding, to the next stage under Article 15. REMINDER TO LEAGUE AMERICA’S NON-RECOGNITION POLICY

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.)

(Received Jan. 17, 7.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.

Coincident with the meeting of thc ’League of Nations Committee of Nineteen to consider the Lytlon Manchurian report, Mr Stimson, Secretary of State, reiterated .the United States’ policy of non-recognition expressed in identic notes to Japan and China, in 1932. It is learned authoritatively to-day that nqtificattiou of this policy was sent recently to the United States embassies in Tokio, London, and Paris, also to tho chiefs of missions in other European capital's, ineludirig Geneva. Local diplomatic circles generally are of opinion that Mr Stimson apparently felt that the League Committee should have a fresh reminder oi' the American position, enabling it to assume that it lias the United -States moral support to frame a strong recommendation for the League Assembly with reference tq Japan’s course concerning China. The State Department denies a Tokio report that an understanding has been readied between the United States and China, whereby tbe former agrees to supply arms and munitions to China in cube of war between China and Japan. The amount of war material sold to China is described as negligible. Another Japanese report evoking a denial by tlie State Departments was that the United States hud unofficially approached Japan regarding a convention for neutralising the zone around the Philippines in the event of independence being granted, witli a zone to include the islands owned or mandated by the Japanese.

Comment is also refused concerning Tokio advices that the Japanese F’oreigu Office informally asserted that such a proposal might be approved by Japan, should the United States take a more lenient attitude on the Manchurian situation. SECRET MEETING STORMY OYER CONCILIATION FORMULA (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 17, 11 p.m.) GENEVA, Jan. 17.

There was a stormy secret meeting of' the Committee of Nineteen in consequence of the revelation that the latdst conciliation formula was' drafted by Japanese' delegates and not by Sir E, Drummond. Mr Yen expressed the opinion that the League had exceeded its function when Sir E. Drummond had tried to get the Japanese into line without consulting■ the Chinese Minsters. Sir E. Drummond explains that lie only gave his advice to the Japanese delegates as Secretary-General of the League. As a fact, Tokio did not see ey,e to’ eye with its delegates at Gen. eva and the conciliation formula had been rejected by both China and Japan. ■ ,

JAP ONSLAUGHT ON JEHOL

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) SHANGHAI, Jan. 17.

Owing to an anticipated further Japanese onslaught on Jehol, Tangyulin, Governor of Jehol, has ordered a big sword l band consisting, of 30,t 000 troops to commence an offensive across the Jehol border in the direct, ion of Tungliao, a station on the Pe-king-Mukden Tailway. It is expected that fighting will commence in 'earnest in the near future. The Chinese will endeavour to cut the JapaneseShanhaikuan communications. Japanese civilians at Tungliao ar e preparing to take refuge in the Japanese consulate barracks and tbe gendarmeries’ headquarters.