CHINA AND JAPAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21029, 13 November 1931, Page 12

CHINA AND JAPAN.

Sir,—The eyes of the world are on China and Japan as never The League of Nations and the Pact 01 Paris involve all parties thereto in the present dispute. " And the honouring of these covenants is the major issue. Any declaration of war or act of aggression m contravention of the League covenant and/ or the Paris Pact must b e suppressed by all parties. The reported declaration of war on Japan by General Machusan must be held to be null and void, as being an assumption of power which neither ho nor the Nanking Government possesses. "China appeals to the League to uphold the sanctity of its covenant and the Fact of Paris," we are told. The Nanking Government must countermand this declaration of war by General Machusan, or admit its incompetence to govern and represent China. On the other hand, if acts of aggression, in contravention of international treaties, amounting to war, have been perpetrated by Japan, a declaration by a. Chinese general that a. state of war exists is s simple statement of fact, and to be regarded and justified as such. I think I am correct in saying that the people of this Dominion desire to cultivate the most friendly relations with our brothers of Japan "and China, and most strongly deprecate any action which might involve ns in war with either or both of these Powers. At the same time, we owe a duty to civilisation and the world which will not permit us to remain idle spectators. In the name of humanity and civilisation we must back up the demand of the League of Nations that. China and Japan compose their differences according to their solemn and mutual obligations, or submit the same to arbitration. J. G. Hughes.