CHINA AT GENEVA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22852, 6 October 1937, Page 12

CHINA AT GENEVA

In no war does either side admit guilt. That is the case in the conflict between Japan and China. The Far Eastern sub-committee of the League has declared the selfevident fact that Japan has invaded China, but the question of deciding who is the real aggressor must necessarily be the subject of inquiry whatever the common opinion of the world may be. Naturally China's representative at Geneva is not satisfied. He wants the League immediately to find Japan guilty of breaches of Covenant, Treaty and Pact. These decisions cannot be reached summarily. The League is not a police court. Nor can the parties to the Treaty that guarantees the sovereignty independence and territorial and administrative integrity of China come to a decision forthwith. The only course is the one the British representative proposes—that the Treaty Powers, with Russia and Germany added to their number if they will consent to so act, should go into conference on the question of re-establishing peace in China. But such conferences are not noted for expedition. The League's procedure over the Abyssinian war proved that, as also did the League's deliberations and inquiry over Manchukuo. Particularly is there likely to be delay when the possible outcome might lead to the threat of force. In the meantime sympathy for China over the killing of non-combatants is calculated to arouse erstwhile pacifists to heights of warlike passion. The sentiments expressed by Dr. Hugh Dalton in his presidential address at the British Labour conference indicate that trend. The very people who deprived Britain of the strength which formerly allowed her to speak with authority are now clamouring for a strong armament and evidently are ready to put British forces into action on China's behalf. But treaties imply a common responsibility. Britain and the Dominions could act only in concert with their associates.