TANTAMOUNT TO ULTIMATUM

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1933, Page 5

TANTAMOUNT TO ULTIMATUM

LEAGUE DECISION ON MANCHURIA. OFFERS FOR CONCILIATION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. . Geneva, Jan. 18. League of Nations circles interpret the committee of nineteen’s decision concerning Manchuria as tantamount to an ultimatum to China and Japan to accept the conciliation resolutions or abide by the consequences. It was significant that Sir John Simon took the lead of suggesting further steps if Japan’s reply was unsatisfactory, but he hoped this would present the possibility of an arrangement. UNEASINESS IN UNITED STATES. STANDING BY ANNOUNCED POLICY Rec. 7 p.m. Washington, Jan. 17. The possibility that fighting between Japan and China in the Jehol region may spread south of the Great Wall of China and involve extensive foreign interests is causing increasing uneasiness in official circles. The administration is standing by its announced policy, to which the President-elect (Mr. F. D. Roosevelt) said on Tuesday he would agree, of upholding the sanctity of all contracts. . The united front presented by Mr. Roosevelt and President Hoover on the American policy was indicated by Mr. Roosevelt. Asked to comment on reports from Washington that Mr. Stimson had reaffirmed the policy that the United States .would not recognise territorial gains made in violation of treaty agreements, Mr. Roosevelt said: “Any statement relating to any particular foreign situation must, of course, come from the Secretary of State. I am, however, wholly willing to make it clear that American foreign policies must uphold the sanctity of international treaties. That is the cornerstone on which all relations between nations must rest.”

The information from New York today clearly indicating Mr. Roosevelt will continue the Hoover-Stimson Manchurian policy, although merely confirming the general assumption that Mr. H. L. Stimson (Secretary of State) and Mr. Roosevelt discussed the matter at a recent conference and reached an agreement, has been received with considerable gratification in official circles. It is felt here that the situation is reaching a crisis and tb j League of Nations must take definite action of some sort immediately. It is believed both Japan and China, as well as the League, will give consideration to Mr. Roosevelt’s strong position, which included the statement: “I am wholly willing to make it clear that American foreign policies must uphold the sanctity of international treaties. That is the cornerstone on which all relations between nations must rest.” The State Department apparently is not perturbed at Tokio’s objection to American participation in arbitration as this was expected.