JAPAN’S BREACH

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1933, Page 5

JAPAN’S BREACH

WITH THE LEAGUE American Anxiety JAPANESE DELEGATE. LEAVING GENEVA. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) GENEVA, February 15. I It is understood that M. Matsuoka has been instructed to leave Geneva on February 28. This is interpreted ns the first step toward Japan’s qiiittance from the League. ASSEMBLY SUMMONED. RUGBY, February 15. The League Assembly’s Committee of Nineteen, which has been dealing with the Sino-Japanese dispute, decided to call an extraordinary meeting of the Assembly for next Tuesday. MONEY MARKET BAROMETER RUGBY, February 15. On the stock markets, a feature of, the day was the weakness of Japanese and Chinese bonds, which generally declined one to over three points, as the result of Japan’s reply to the League, and the other nows regarding the Far Eastern dispute. Position in Pacific ANGLO-AMERICAN CO OPERATION NEEDED. (Received February 16 at 7.5 pm.) NEW YORK, February 16. It is pointed out that .the Japanese mandated areas in the Pacific Ocean cut right across the United States lines of communication, and it is expected that the British Empire and America will be more closely drawn together in dealing with this situation that affects them so closely It is felt that the question is no longer simip’.v one of Manchuria, but rather the wider one of the entire Pacific policy, which must lie settled on the broadest grounds conducive to world peace WASHINGTON. February 15. The impending break of the Japanese. wijth the League of Nations, while it is increasing the reluctance of the official circles here to make any comment lias obviously struck a grave note. The national feeling that the situation is so extremely delicate that even the most justifiable action or reaction, here might further seriously complicate the situation, is clearly seen. The Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives to-day refused President Hoover’s request for legislation empowering the President to declare an arms embargo to the nations throughout the world, under certain circumstances and where the Chief Executive had first secured the co-operation of ether arms manufacturing countries. The Committee approved of a resolution authorising a Presidential arms embargo only to American countries. Representative Fish forced the amendment. He said afterwards: “1 feel that the resolution was aimed at Japan, and Japan would so interpret it We would, if other nations agreed to it, be left “holding the bag’’ in the event of war with Japan. We have ships and we would have to do the fighting. I am opposed to all this bluff and blustering against Japan. 1 do not agree with something that Japan has done, but if we started to mind our own business we would get along better.’’

Japan Suspects U.S.A. AMERICAN ANXIETY. OF WESTERN DANGER. (Received February 16 at 10.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 16. An announcement weeks ago that the combined American Fleet would be kept in the Pacific Ocean until 1934, ostensibly to reduce the expenditure of returning the Atlantic Division to the Atlantic Ocean, was very sceptically commented upon by a Tokyo Foreign Office spokesman. His remarks have been cabled to the press of the United States, and have compelled the American public to realise the delicacy of the relations now between the two countries. There are reports to-night that, if Japan issues an ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of the Chinese troops from Jehol Province, the Nanking Government will construe it as a declaration of war. This opens up an unpleasant vista of further complications Such hostilities, it is believed here, would increase the danger of involving one or more of the Western Powers. American sentiment generally ap proves of Lord Lytton’s statement that the League needs no force for the enactment of its decrees. Concerning the Chinese-Japanese affairs, the hope is strong here that the situation would be cleared up by a Japanese realisation of the exact nature of the predominant part of the world sentiment. BRITISH ATTITUDE. FOREIGN .MINISTER’S STATEMENT. RUGBY, February 15. Speaking at Southampton, Sir J. Simon said: — “The Far East gives the greatest concern to every supporter of the League, not only because of the seriousness and extent of the conflict between two members of the League, but because the future of the League maj- be vitally affected by the outcome. Here, again, the British policy has been perfectly consistent, throughjout. We seek to act as a good mem-

ber of the League, and firm friends of both sides. The League is not a superstate, exercising over’-riding physical compulsion over its members. It is an international organisation which is seeking to substitute co-operation for force and conciliation for conflict, and if conciliation for the moment fails, the League has the duty of making a report and recommendations, with firmness and fairness, in order that the influence of world opinion may make its full contribution to a solution and settlement.” “lT>rls^lytton's' _ c6mment?" LONDON, February 15. Lord Lytton was the guest of Japanese students in London. lie said he was opposed to going to war to enforce peace. He thought the League’s only course was to define the limits wherein a Sino-.lapanese settlement could be achieved, within the obligations of the Covenant, and then offer the chance of using the machinery of the League for the purpose of settling the dispute. If China and Japan did not take advantage of it, the League could only wait until the day ■when they did so. Personally, he believed the interests of China and Japan were reconcilable.