POWERS' PEACE EFFORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 9

POWERS' PEACE EFFORTS.

ENDORSEMENT BY LEAGUE.

BRITISH STATEMENT READ.

THE MENACE TO SHANGHAI.

NEUTRAL ZONE PROPOSAL,

By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright. British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 2.

A special meeting of the Council of the League of Nations was held to-day at the request of Britain, prior to the opening of the Disarmament Conference, to consider the situation at Shanghai. The Secretary for the Dominions, Mr. J. H. Thomas, formally brought to the notice of the Council the gravity of the latest developments, and read a statement which the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, almost at the same moment was making in the British House of Commons, which reassembled this afternoon. The Foreign Secretary, in thi3 statement, said hostilities of a very serious nature broke out on the night of January 28 between Chinese and Japanese at Shanghai. The British Government regarded these events with grave concern, both in the general interests of peace and owing to the proximity of the International Settlement with the consequent danger to the lives and property of British nationals.

The Government therefore made pressing representations, more than once repeated, and urged the Japanese and Chinese Governments and the commanders on the spot to accept a scheme put forward as the result of the efforts of the British and United States ConsulsGeneral at Shanghai for the establishment of a neutral zone between the Chinese and Japanese forces. That zone would have to be occupied by troops of the neutral Powers with forces in the International Settlement. Instructions had been given for the British troops to cooperate if the zone could be established.

Presentation of Peace Proposals. Owing to the efforts of the ConsulsGeneral a truce was arranged on the evening of January 29, but, the Minister said, he regretted to see in the latest press reports that fighting appeared to have broken out again. The British Government, had further urged upon Japan and China with the utmost earnestness to do what lay in and upon them to remedy the existing situation. After mentioning that British reinforcements had been sent to Shanghai, and emphasising the close consultation which had been maintained, and would be continued with the other Powers con<ceraecf7 Sir John's statement referred briefly to the shelling last night of Nanking. He proceeded:

" I would now add—and this is of great importance—that instructions were sent to IHs Majesty's representatives at Tokio and Nanking to deliver this morning to those Governments certain proposals for peace, and to press strongly for their acceptance, indicating that they were being simultaneously urged upon the other party.

" These proposals have been concerted with the United States Government, and the French and Italian Governments were asked to act similarly. Since then I have received information that, thnse two Governments have acted in the sense desired.''

Continuation of Situation Impossible

Mr. Thomas announced that Britain regarded a continuation of the situation as impossible. He added : " War in everything but name is progressing and the members <"*f the League cannot be indifferent to it. Otherwise the Covenant of the League, Paris Fact, and the NinePower Treaty will lose the confidence of the world.

" It is significant that America takes a similar view."

These developments at Geneva created an immense impression. Mr. Thomas' reading of Sir John Simon's statement was listened to in tense silence. He emphasised the need for immediate action. He, expressed the hope that the other members of the League would reinforce the proposals made to the Japanese and Chinese Governments.

NT. Tardieu, for France, and Signor Grandi, for Italy, immediately promised their co-operation and the German delegate also expressed sympathy with the measures adopted. Purpose of Meeting Attained. The Japanese representative, Captain Sato, said he believed his Government would welcome the proposal to create a neutral zone.

The chairman, M. Tardieu, in adjourning the meeting, said its purpose which was to associate the Council with the action of Britain, France, Italy and the United States, had been attained. France's land and naval forces in the Far East would he increased.

Italy also would send additional war ships and marines to Shanghai.

GOOD IMPKESSION.

DIPLOMACY OF BRITAIN

DECLARATION APPROVED

GENEVA, Feb. 2. At the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations to-day Britain very definitely showed herself to be still the spearhead of diplomacy. It was rather ironic that Mr. Thomas, it is believed on Mr. Mac Donald's pressing representations, received all the limelight, while his old colleague. Mr. Arthur Henderson, had to wait for his hour of glory at the Disarmament Conference until the Council's special session had registered approval of Britain's strong appeal to the belligerent Orientals. There was no mistaking the deep impression which Mr. Thomas' reading of Sir John Simon's declaration created. All the hotel lounges this evening are humming with discussions of its possible effects. Some commentators are eager to assert that the Japanese are somewhat worried at the turn of events in the sense that Britain's declaration has dispelled any illusions about the old basis of Britain's traditional friendship. The simple fact is, however, that Britain thought events in the East had gone far enough and that it was time to call a halt without saying who was to blame, and the manner and moment for saying it are everywhere highly praised. A better atmosphere is already to be discerned.