LEAGUE OF NATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21453, 29 March 1933, Page 9

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

JAPAN'S WITHDRAWAL FAR EASTERN QUESTION DIFFERENCE OF OPINION LONDON PRESS COMMENT By Telegraph—PreßS Association—Copyright (Keccived March 28, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 27 The Japanese Foreign Minister, Count Uchida, in giving notice of Japan's withdrawal from the League of Nations, states that the inajority of the League, in seeking a solution of the Far Eastern question, attached greater importance to upholding inapplicable formulae than to assuring peace. Hence Japan realised the irreconcilability of the points of view regarding the interpretation of the Covenant and other treaties, and believed that further cooperation was not practicable. The Daily Telegraph, discussing Japan's withdrawal from the League, says:— Loose talk about economic boycotts and embargoes and about requiring Japan to hand back her mandate over the Caroline Islands will do nothing but excite unnecessary heat and resentment. The News-Chronicle says :—Nothing would weaken "the *League more than the presence of a nominal member whose whole policy was steady defiance both of the letter and the spirit of the Covenant. With Japan's withdrawal that scandal ends. DECISION APPROVED NATION'S ENDORSEMENT ONE NOTE OF BRAVADO (Received March 28, 10.25 p.m.) 'i'OKIO, March 28 Popular reactions everywhere in Japan prove the nation's entire endorsement of the decision to withdraw from the League. The vernacular newspapers unanimously express satisfaction. They say it was the only course possible, and they are convinced the time will come when it will be shown that Japan's actions in Manchuria have been unselfish and in furtherance of peace in the Orient. The sole note of bravado is attributed to naval circles regarding the suggestion that Japan must abandon her mandated islands. They are said to have stated: "Let whoever wants them try to get them." AMERICA SILENT JAPAN'S PACIFIC MANDATES INTERVENTION RIDICULED (Received March 28, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 27 The State Department considers that Japanls withdrawal from the League of Nations is purely a matter between Japan and Geneva. Consequently, it withheld comment on Tokio's action to-day. In regard to Japanese press reports to the effect that the United States, Germany and China have a tacit understanding for a united front against Japan's retention of her mandates in the Pacific the department said such rumours were "too absurd to be dignified by a denial." The status of the islands in question had not even been considered by the Roosevelt Administration and it had no intention of discussing the matter publicly until there were further developments. It is recallejl that the United States always has insisted upon being consulted as to the disposition of mandated territory. It still adheres to that principle. FAR EAST CONFLICT RECURRENCE REPORTED STRONG CHINESE ATTACK - -• (Received March 28, 10.5 p.m.) KOBE, March 28 The Chinese are attacking strongly in the neighbourhood of Shanhaikwan, in an endeavour to regain possession of the Great Wall. The Japanese are calling for reinforcements. Fifty miles to the west the former Governor of Jehol, Tang Yu-lin, has a considerable force, which is resisting the Japanese. JAPAN AND RUSSIA " A PREVENTIVE WAR" SENSATION AT GENEVA LONDON, March 21 A sensation has been caused at Geneva by the Japanese delegation's frank admission that a. " preventive " war against Russia was being seriously considered by Japan. Russia is known to be exceedingly apprehensive over the penetration of Japaneso troops to the Russian frontier in North-east and North-west Manchuria. Japanese military circles and newspapers often discuss "the inevitability of preventive war," designed to consolidate the position of Manchukuo, to dissipate tho Communist menace and to acquire the rich maritime province of Eastern Siberia. Advocates of war argue that, whereas Japan is ready now for war, she cannot long sustain her present military expenditure. The existence of these views is officially confirmed by M; Matsuoka, leader of the Japaneso delegation to the League. In a foreword to a Japanese pamphlet privately circulated at Geneva fie says:— "There are two trends of thought in Japan regarding Russia. One holds that the Soviet menaces Japan because of her efforts to spread Bolshevism in tho Far East, also because of her military development. "These Japanese think that Japan should strike the Soviet beforo tho menace fully materialises. The other school, to which 1 subscribe, considers that the issues can be settled by diplomatic means." This statement has confirmed Russia's worst fears, because (he military party, which favours war with Russia, now doii> inates Japan. M. Matsuoka and other moderates have lost their influence. No wonder M. Voro sbiloff expressed anxiety recently. Japan has plans for the invasion of North China and the capture of Peking. There is no clear dividing line between Inner and Outer Mongolia. The extension of hostilities in this region is almost bound to lead to complications with Russia. TURKEY AND SOVIET GENEVA, March 27 At to-day's sitting of the General Commission of the Disarmament Conference the Soviet delegate supported the Turkish demand for a revision of the Dardanelles Convention attached to the Lausanne Treaty.