ACID TEST OF LEAGUE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXV, Issue 19008, 16 October 1931, Page 9

ACID TEST OF LEAGUE.

Sino-Japanese Dispute. ACTS OF WAR REVEALED. British Official Wireless RUGBY, October 14. Members of the League Council this morning discussed the general situation of the Chinese and Japanese trouble. It is understood that special attention was paid to the question of close collaboration of the United States in any action the Council may take. Geneva messages state that it is proposed to ask the United States Government to authorise its Geneva Observer to sit at the Council table, in a consultative capacity. The Japanese and,Chinese delegates were not present this morning, but M. Briand will convey to them the proposal to obtain American collaboration, and discover their views thereon. CHINA’S FRESH PROTESTS. SPECIAL INQUIRY MOOTED. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright GENEVA, October 14. The Council decided to invite the United States to assist in the settlement of the Sino-Japanese dispute. China welcomes this. Mr. Yeipp objects, and awaits instructions from Tokio. China has notified the League that Japanese aeroplanes bombed a railway and a hospital, which was flying the Red Cross flag at Chinchow last week. It has been denied that Marshal Chiang-Kai-shek threatened war on October 12, merely remarking that if the nations were driven to war to defend international pacts, no sacrifice would be too costly.

PESSIMISM IN NANKING. SCEPTICAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEAGUE’S INFLUENCE. United Press Association—By Blectrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 16, 12.55 a.m.) SHANGHAI, October 15. The Geneva deliberations have produced an atmosphere of pessimism in Nanking official circles. The newspapers in the capital especially are adopting a sceptical attitude in regard to the outcome of the League’s handling of the Sino-Jap-anese deadlock. Leading Nanking journals, under semi-official control, warn the people against placing two much reliance upon Geneva, and also against being fooled by the crafty diplomacy of the Japanese, and advise preparations for an emergency. Sir Miles Lampson (British Minister) reached the capital by aeroplane to-day. Mr Nelson Johnson (United States Minister), also M. Wilden (French Minister), and Senor Garrade (Spanish Minister) are due tomorrow. The purpose of this diplomatic gathering is not announced. His Majesty’s cruiser Caradoc, and gunboat Scarab are reinforcing the destroyer Bruce, at Nanking. Absolute quiet prevails here. It is reported that Japan is ignoring Nankin’s latest memorandum.