The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-10-10
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT j RI !! EVENTS |!
Japan Wins Victory in the
League Of Nations
Baseball Scandal.
By EDWARD W. PICARD

Japan. has, for the time being, put
u. one over on the member nations
Of the League of Nations, and all the
world is waiting, rather anxiously, to
see what the result will be. 1t all
turns on the matter Of regulation of
immigration, which the Japanese will
not admit is a purely internal ques-
ton that each nation is entitled to
determine without outside interfer-
ence. They refused to accept the
leagues proposed treaty Of arbitra-
ton, security and disarmament until
it had been amended to accord with
their view on that point, and after a
strenuous debate the committee in
charge yielded to them and framed a
so-called compromise which satisfied
them. The protocol for pacific set
Element Of international disputes" as
1t is officially known, was then sub
mitted to the league assembly and ac-
copied. In the opinion Of most Amer
leans and Of Australia, Canada and
other British dominions, the league
has oyerreached itself by attempting
to become not only an international
arbitrator but an International law
maker, and the result is more likely
to be war than peace.
Briefly stated, the amendments in
sisted upon and obtained by Count
Adachi and his Japanese colleagues
oblige the league to arbitrate the i'm
migration question or any other Ques-
ton Of internal policy even after the
world court has refused to have any,
thing to do with 1t. This, as one cor
respondent puts 1t, means that Japan
is entitled to drag the United States
into long, dangerous dispute on the
race question before the worlds ma
tions, even though the highest court
of justice in existence has declared
the question at issue is Americas own
business. No time limit is set for
this operation. and If at any time dur
ing this process the United States
kicks over the traces and decides to
handle it's own problems in Its own
way the league. is obliged to punish 1t
by the military power Of 81 nations"
If the United States should refuse
to obey the leagues orders, Japan
could declare war on us and could
count on the support Of as many of
the signatory nations as would honor
their signatures to the document. In
the same case would be any other ma
ton that has adopted legislative
measures to check Japanese immigra-
tion.' -4ae
In the debates in Geneva the jap
anese had the support Of Greece and
Italy-quite understandable of
Belgium, whose reason for such a
stand Is not clear. The French and
English representatives were so set
ON adoption of the protocol that they
gladly accepted the compromise, which
in fact was practically complete sur
render to Count Adachi's demands.
However, adoption of the protocol at
Geneva is not binding until the docu-
ment has been ratified by the govern
ments of signatorS powers, and the
prospect now is that 1t will be reject
ed by at least the British. Australian,
New Zealand, South African and
Canadian parliaments. Australia,
which is determined to remain white"
is especially concerned over the mat
ter and Its press is outspoken and
bitter in comment. In the United
States the consistent opponents Of
American membership in the league
see further justification for their po-
sition. Those who have advocated
American. membership are in the main
noticeably. silent. aa
In one respect the discussions in the
league worked out to- the disadvan-
tage Of the Japanese, for they were
compelled to admit openly that they
were considering the possibility of
making war on the United States over
the immigration question. This might
well result in the making Of an agree
ment by America, England and the
British dominions for parallel action,
cooperation and support.