LEAGUE’S RULING

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1933, Page 5

LEAGUE’S RULING

DISPUTE OVER MANCHURIA

PROPOSAL FOR SETTLEMENT

REJECTION BY JAPANESE

FAILURE OF CONCILIATION

LEAGUE MEETS TO-MORROW

Wireless. Rugby, Feb. 17. The report and recommendations drawn up by the Committee Of Nineteen appointed by the League of Nations to consider the Manchurian dispute have been published. The first part of the report approves of the first eight chapters of the Lytton Repart as a balanced, impartial and detailed statement of the historical background of the dispute. The second part examines the development of the dispute after September 30, 1931. The third offers the League’s conclusions, and the fourth sets out' recommendations.

These recommendations, contained in a statement of three chapters, set out in the second chapter that, whereas the sovereignty over Manchuria belongs to China, and considering that the presence of Japanese troops outside the zone of the South Manchurian railway incompatible with the legal principles which should govern the settlement of a dispute, the committee recommends the evacuation of these troops with a negotiation committee charged as its first object to organise the evacuation and determine thd.stages and time limits thereof.

It is further recommended that there be established in Manchuria within a reasonable time an organisation under the sovereignty of and compatible with the administrative integrity of China, which would provide wide measure of autonomy in harmony with local conditions and would respect the rights and interests of Japan and third parties. The recommendations provide for a negotiating committee to be set up after China and Japan have accepted the recommendations, the United States and being invited to participate. The committee’s attitude towards Manchukuo is defined in the declaration that the maintenance and recognition of that regime is incompatible with the fundamental principles of existing international obligations and with the good understanding between the two countries on which the peace of the Far East depends. It added that it follows that members of the League should continue not to recognise this regime, either de jure or de facto. r ' ' The League Assembly will meet on Tuesday to take note of the failure of conciliation, and on Friday it will be asked to accept the report and recommendations. WITHDRAWAL OF JAPAN CABINET MAKES DECISION / _____ ;4 CANNOT ACCEPT REPORT” By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. , Rec. 6.30 p.m. Tokio, Feb. 18. Japan at a Cabinet meeting to-day decided to withdraw from the League of Nations forthwith, and to-morrow the Prime Minister will interview Prince Saionji informing him of this step. Mr. Matsuoka, Japanese delegate, in a statement at Geneva, said: “I am awaiting official Cabinet instructions. The Cabinet naturally cannot' accept the Committee of Nineteen’s report, but that does not necessarily mean withdrawal from the League. “If the Assembly adopts' the reports I will immediately return to Tokio. The situation is so .grave, that I suppose , the Government will immediately place the matter in the hands of the Privy Council.” CHINESE WILL RESIST CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY PLANS TO DEFEND JEHAL Rec. 6.30 p.m. Peking, Feb. 18. “On behalf of the Central Government I pledge you that we will never give up the north-east; we will never give up Jehol,” Mr. T. V. Soong, Prime Minister, declared to a-mass meeting to-day attended by high-placed military and civilian leaders. Mr. Soong and others have gone to Jehol to complete plans for resisting the threatened Japanese invasion of the province. He added: “The enemy may blockade our ports and capture Nanking, but there will-be no one to sign the terms of surrender. We can safely rest assured that eventual victory will be ours, but we must steel ourselves to temporary disappointments and adversities. We nust show the world that Jehol, like the hree Eastern provinces, is Chinese territory. NOT ANXIOUS TO LEAVE ATTITUDE OF JAPANESE MAY SEEK COMPROMISE Rec. 11 p.m. London, Feb. 19. Japan has no wish to leave the League and is expected to attempt to secure a last-minute compromise—even to waive her point concerning Manchukuo if the Powers admit Manchukuo’s autonomy and allow, its ultimate destiny to be decided by a conference, says the Geneva correspondent of the Sunday Times. The British United Press says the Japanese delegation has received definite instructions -to - reject the report and recommendations of the Committee of Nineteen. Mr. Mafsuoka will announce Japan’s attitude regarding Manchukuo next week, after which he will probable leave the Assembly. It is reported that Japan’s resignation from the League is considered unlikely. INSURANCE CANCELLED THE INCREASED RISK OF WAR. Rec. 6.30 p.m. London, Feb. 18. Lloyd’s Underwriters and Marine Insurance Companies have decided to give notice cancelling war risks' on cargoes for Japan and China, including Hongkong. The notice takes effect ten days from Monday. It enables the underwriters to charge higher premiums in accordance with the increased risk of war.