FAR EAST DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 11

FAR EAST DISPUTE

LEAGUE'S PROBLEM

JAPAN'S CASE STATED

the lytton hefort

. proposals rejected

MANCHUBIAN POLICY

By ''Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright GENEVA, Nov. 21 Considerable animation marked the opening of the momentous session of the Council of the League of Nations to-day by the chairman. Mr. de Valera. The Earl of Lvtton and other members of the Manchuria Commission were among the spectators. ■ *'

The chief Japanese delegate, Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, presented the Japanese case. The Chinese attitude was stated by Dr. Wellington Koo, after which tho debate was adjourned until Wednesday. The following arc the principal points of Japan's reply to the Lytton Commission's report, the dominant feature being the flat rejection of the proposals for a settlement of the Sino Japanese problem.

Alleged Anarchy in China

(1) China is an abnormal country and is in a condition bordering on anarchy. (2) Foreign lives and property cannot adequately be protected because of internal conflict and also on account of the "revolutionary" policy of the Kuomintang against foreign Powers. (3) Foreign Powers have been obliged to exercise exceptional powers and privileges in order to protect their subjects and interests. (4) Japan has suffered more severely than any other Power from China's anarchical condition and anti-foreign

policy. (5) Japan's position in Manchuria geographically and historically, by virtue of treaty rights and economic interests, and the need of her own national security, is exceptional. Japan's Rights of Sell-defence (6) The former Manchurian authorities intrigued to undermine this special position, and frequently and flagrantly encroached on Japan's rights and interests in Manchuria. (7) None of Japan's actions in September, 1931, exceeded her rights of selfdefence. (8) Manchuria has always occupied a separate position in relation to China itself. The foundation of the State of Manchukuo was accomplished by the spontaneous action of Manchurians. / (9) A general recognition of the present regime would contravene no international obligations, would satisfy the Manchurians' aspirations and would eventually be realised by China herself as the only satisfactory basis of stable relations.

(10) Disguised international control of Manchuria would be acceptable neither to Japan nor Manchukuo. The Lytton plan, which requires that each of the parties shall have as a sine qua non a strong and stable Government, would make the conf-ision worse. Japan considers it is impossible to demilitarise Manchuria and maintain order by the use of international gendarmerie. Evidence Wrongly Estimated

In addition to the foregoing points* Japan states that the report contains many just conclusions "Rowing mostly from / observed facts, but they are enveloped in a mist of optimism, the glamour of which certainly would mislead anyone not aware of the true facts. The commission, owing to the shortness of' the time available, acquired only a superficial impression. If the commissioners had visited other parts of the country, especially South China, their optimism regarding the Chinese situation would have been considerably modified. Japan casts no reflection on the conecientious nature of the report, but feels that the comparative weight of evidence has been wrongly estimated and the report used invariably against Japan. Ihis was particularly noticeable in the section dealing with the incident of September 18, 1931, and the establishment of the independent State of Manchukuo.

Military Operations Justified

The Japanese reply disclaims any such bitter feelings toward China as certain passages in the report suggest. On the contrary, Japan says she looks forward to friendly and prosperous co-operation with China, and declares that the military operations carried out since September 18, 1931, were entailed by the execution of a plan carefully prepared to meet the alaiming'eventuality of a Chinese attack, lhey were not related to anything but selfdefence.

Japan cannot allow either their lack of necessity or inappropriateness to be the ■ubject of discussion. Any scheme tending to destroy the condition of peace and orderliness now being restored will irresistibly produce a new era of disputes and difficulties, "lhe settlement of the Manchurian question will pave the way to settlement of the whole of the Chinese question.

THREATENED STORM

HOPE OF DIVERSION

LONDON, Nov. 21

Trie Earl of Lytton, in a speech broadcast from the League of Nations' station at Geneva, said the outlook at the homent, while not bright, was not hopelegs. He trusted that the storm advancing from Manchuria might be by *'ise statesmanship to a harmless direction.

The success of the negotiations about to begin would be profoundly important tor the peace of the world. "The little cloud which appeared on the Far East horizon in September, 1931, has grown into a very threatening storm," said Lord Lytton. "It is an anxious moment for the World. The issue at stake is much largei than whether Japan should control Manchuria. It is whether the principle of collective responsibility for the maintenance of peace and justice between ualions shall be preserved or sacrificed. It an act was unjustifiable, it could W be justified by the mere fact of having been accomplished. The Leader of the Labour Party, „ ; Gr. Lansbury, Lord Russell, Sir Stanord Cripps and Mr. H. G. Wells, on behalf of the Union of Democratic Control, contend that if Japan withdraws from the League the Covenant will bind her_until ber obligations under it are fulfilled.