Japan’s Whole Policy

Grey River Argus, 16 February 1933, Page 5

Japan’s Whole Policy

ONE OF AGGRESSION. LEAGUE’S FINDING. GENEVA, February 15. Outspoken passages in the Committee of Nineteen’s report, which rivals the Lytton Report in size, declare that while Japanese officers in Manchuria on the night of December 9, 1931, might have believed they were acting in the legitimate defence of Japanese military, the operations at Mukden and other places cannot be regarded as in self defence any more than Japan’s subsequent military measures, which were inspired by political considerations. Japan acquired control of all the important towns. Moreover, the adoption of legitimate defence measures does not exempt any country from its obligations under the Covenants of Article Twelve. The report adds that the Japanese civil and military officers planned and carried out in Manchuria an independence movement as a solution of the situation that thus was created, using therefor, the names and activities of certain prominent Chinese minorities with grievances against the Chinese Government. This movement was supported and guided by the Japanese general staff, and could only be achieved owing to the presence of Japanese troops. It cannot be considered a spontaneous genuine independence movement. The report dealing with the events producing the recent crisis, emphasises that both China and Japan had legitimate grievances. Japan took advantage of questionable rights. China obstructed in the exercise of her undoubted rights.