Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1928 JAPAN'S STATUS IN MANCHURIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 22 May 1928, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1928 JAPAN'S STATUS IN MANCHURIA

WHfLK in tin- West there is much talk (if outlawing war, in l.he "East there is arising tin- ominous shadow whirl* possibly ma\ become threatening and dark. L f . is tin- grave question of Japan's stains in Manchuria, a question which hr:s been in abeyance for years, bill is brought, into prominence by (1) the defeat, in Northern China, of Marshal Chang Tsn-lin, the Dictator of Manchuria. {'A) tin- perturbation of the. ."Japanese 1.-st. China's civil war should spread to Manchuria, and her consequent proposals to protect her rights ami in lercsls there, and (3) the United States' Secretary -of Stale's significant action in drawing- attention to the provisions of the N'ine-F'ower Treaty., which guarantees the integrity of China's sovereignly and territory. Article I. of the. Treaty., to which Mr Kcllogg has referred, reads in part, thus:— The contracting Powers, other than China, ngree: fl) To respect the sovereignty, die independence, and territorial and administrative integrity ol China. . .. (4) To refrain from taking advantage of the conditions in China in order h, seel; special rights or privileges which would abridge the rights of subjects or citizens of friendly Stales,'and from countenancing action inimical to the security of such States. This Treaty was signed in February,

1.922. by '.ho United States,' 'Belgium, the" Mntish Empire, China, France, Italy, J Tapan, Holland, and Portugal. Its in- \ li'iition of course was lo prevent any , Rower <>r- Powers from taking advantage nf China's chaotic condition to seize part ;.f her territory, and was aimed doubtless at Japan chiefly. Since. 1922 much has happened in China. It was not so long ago that Britain landed 20,000 Hoops nt Shanghai for the. purpose of defending the foreign settlement there from threatened attach by the Red armies of the Cantonese. True, that action of the British Government in no way affected the sovereignty and independence of China, since the object, was merely to defend the foreigners at Shanghai, but if the Rods had not respected the .settlement's integrity, who knows where the matter would have ended? However, the. U.S.A. were involved almost as much as wove the British, and iho American Government made no protest. Suppose, to-day, that, tlio Japanese should act similarly in Manchuria where they 'possess vast interests and valuable concessions, lo what, extent does Mr Kellogg's reference to the Nine Power Treaty affect them? As we have said, much lias occurred in China since that Treaty was signed. At that time Manchuria was an integral part of China: to-day it is doubtful if it is so, for in February, 1926, Marshal Chang Tso-lin, who was acknowledged by the Pekin Government, to be the ruler of Manchuria, officially declared that country to bo an autonomous and independent Republic, and on February 16th he sum moned an assembly of representatives of the three Manchurian provinces, and that assembly resolved that "tho Manchurian Government would no longer recognise orders issued by or agreements concluded by the Pekin Govern merit." and further drew up a Constitu-

tion creating a Manchurian federation. This complete defiance of the Pekin Government, and practical separation of Manchuria from China, were tacitly accepted by the Pekin Government and caused no remonstrance by the United States or any of the Powers which had signed the Nine Power Treaty. It. seems reasonable to suppose, therefore, that. Manchuria, is no longer an integral part of China, and thus lias been eliminated from tho operation of the Treaty in ques"tion. The great ports of Dairen and Port Arthur and the railways of South Manchuria are, leased to Japan for a period of 9H years, and with these leases are associated the valuable. Fenglien coal and iron deposits over which Japan holds what amounts to a mono poly. Is it to he supposed, if the Southerners' armies are successful in driving Marshal Chang's forces completely out of China Pioper, that Japan will allow the. Southerners to invade Manchuria where they would certainly interfere with her rights and interests in ihe same way as they have done in Shangtung? Her defence nf her rights oral interests in the latter province has not been objected to by Mr Kellogg. Whv should that Minister object tuber defence of her rights and interests in Manchuria? It is reported that Japan may proclaim a protectorate over Manchuria, If so, such action would concern Mr.rsh.nl Chang Tso-lin, but it is hard to .see how it could concern China, it Manchuria ceased to be a part of that country and has passed completely from the control of the Chinese Government. In such circumstances it is difficult to see hew Japan's action would be an infringement of the Nine Power Treaty, to which Mr Kellogg publicly draws attention. That is briefly ihe statement of Japan's case as legards her position and status in Manchuria. Contrary to reports received last week, it appears that Marshal Chang has not evacuated Pekin, but intends to give, battle in order to retain that city. In any case, Japan's decision to exclude the Southerners from Manchuria will stiffen the old Marshal's defence. He surely would welcome Japan's proposed protect orate, over Manchuria, of winch he is undoubtedly the paramount lord, 'whatever may be his fortune in China.