THE FAR EAST

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 January 1933, Page 5

THE FAR EAST

SIHO-JAPANESE CONFLICT UNEASINESS IN U.S.A. Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, Wednesday. 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, in causing increasing uneasiness in official circles. The Administration is standing by its announced policy, to which the President-Elect, Mr F. ID. Roosevelt, said to-day lie would agree, of upholding the,sanctity of all contracts.

Reports from New York to-day,.clear-ly indicating that Air Roosevelt would continue the Hoover-Stimson policy in respect to Manchuria, although merely confirming the general assumption that the Secretary of State, Mr H. L-. Stimson, and! Air Roosevelt discussed the matter at. their recent conference and reached agreement, have been received with considerable gratification in official circles.

It is felt here that the situation is reaching a crisis, and that the League of Nations must take definite action of some sort immediately. It is believed that both Japan and China, also the League, will give consideration to Air Roosevelt’s strong position, which included this statement:—“l am wholly willing to make it clear that American foreign policies must uphold the sanctity of international Treaties. That is the corner-stone on which all relations between nations must rest.”

The State Deparement apparently is not perturbed at Tokio’s objection’ to American participation in arbitration, as this was expected.

LEAGUE ULTIMATUM.

GENEVA, Wednesday

League of Nations circles interpret the committee’s decision regarding Manchuria as tantamount to an ultimatum to China and Japan to accept the conciliation proposals or -abide by the consequences. It was significant "that Sir John Simon took the lead in suggesting further steps if Japan’s reply was unsatisfactory.

JAPAN AND SOVIET. A PROPOSAL ACCEPTED. (Received Thursday; 3.40 ajn.) LONDON. Wednesday. The “ Guardian's”’Moscow correspondent says that correspondence . between Japan and the Soviet regarding the proposed non-aggression part discloses that Japan does not desire a pact until the disputed questions are settled. The Soviet is of opinion that a better atmosphere for the settlement null pre.vail after the conclusion of the pact. Japan’s proposal, which was accepted by the Soviet, is the establishment of a permanent . Soviet-Japanese Frontier Commission to settle local incidents as they arise. f , ... v;... , . ; :