MANCHURIAN CRISIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17958, 9 December 1932, Page 5

MANCHURIAN CRISIS

DISCUSSION BY LEAGUE JAPAN’S FIRM STAND A THREAT TO WITHDRAW (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Dec. 9, II a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 8. Both Sir John Simon and M. Paul Boncour, in the debate at Geneva, showed that they had mastered the whole of the Lytton report. They stressed the point that it was an impartial document, not, as was generally supposed, wholly condemnatory of Japan, but making measured criticism of both China and Japan. The speeches continued all day and it is hoped that they will be concluded tonight. Mr. Matsuoka declared that Japan would withdraw from the League unless the resolution censuring Japanese action in Manchuria was withdrawn.

M. Hymans replied that the resolution demanded consideration. Time would be given for a full discussion. The Daily Telegraph correspondent at Geneva compares Sir John Simon’s speech with that of an advocate defending a shady client. He points out that the speeches showed that Britain, Italy and Germany were definitely on the side of Japan in opposing any League action distasteful to Japan. France’s position was doubtful, though M. Boncour admitted that, if conciliation failed, the Assembly would be bound to make recommendations on the lines of the Lytton report.

I-ior'd LVtton, speaking in London, j; maintained that, the emergency with which China and Japan were confronted, whether regarded from the viewpoint of world peace or their own national interest, was great enough to justify an expectation of the settlement of the Manchurian problem. The te?t case was not as to whether the League was an effective instrument, hut whether the collective responsibility of all • nations for the maintenance of peace and justice was, or was not, a real security. If the League failed to find a settlement by agreement, confidence would be still further, shaken, but he believed that the League would survive even such a failure. If a peaceful solution could be found, it would he a credit to both countries, a credit they could not possibly achieve by resort to war.