Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-13
PEACE PROSPECTS
BETTER, i. S. HEARS.
Brighter Reports on Far East
Situation Given Cabinet
by President.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Brighter reports on the Manchurian
situation were submitted to the cabi-
net today By President Hoover.
There were indications in high off,
cial circles that the efforts of the
League of Nations ard other interested
parties were bearing fruit
Mr.. Hoover had at hand reports from
American observers both in Manchuria
and at Geneva One official said they
indicated there are riffs in the clouds
which have gathered over Manchuria.
I believe that daylight is getting in"
Hopeful since the outbreak Of fight
ing between Japan and China that in
tervention would be unnecessary the
United States welcomed reports from
Toxic that officials of the disputants
had undertaken settlement by direct
negotiations.
The reports reached Washington as
the State Department prepared to act
either independently or with the
League of Nations to demand that
China and Japan respect their treaty
obligations renouncing war as ma
tional policy. Ofhcials saw in the de-
cision willingness on the part Of the
Oriental nations themselves to prevent
the catastrophe of a general war.
Nations Marshal Strength
Meanwhile, however, throughout the
, world leading nations continued to mar
shall their strength behind demand
that peace be preserved
The action of these governments dur
ing the weeks since fighting began has
been by no means confined to public
announcements and appeals. The
United States and other great powers
have been in constant communication
through diplomatic channels with Toxic
and Marking. seeking informally every
avenue toward peaceful settlement.
These communications have dealt in
detail with situations treated more or
less generally in notes made public
They impress the great interest of the
outside world in the situation without,
however eXerting pressure for any spe-
cific form of agreement.
In effect, these nations have said to
China and Japan:
Settle it your own way but, for
the sake of world peace, settle it."
China Has Most Troops.
The reports from Toxic that China
had agreed to discuss peaceful agree
ment marked a departure by China
from its refusal previously expressed
to treat directly. Just few hours be-
fore President Chang Kai-Shek had
warned that unless action came from
the League of Nations China would re-
sort to war to expel the japanese troops.
who now hold many strategic centers
in Manchuria.
Should war eventuate, the latest
figures available indicate China would
find itself with the most troops under
arms.
The League of Nations in 1929 esti-
mated the Chinese army at 100000
men and Japan's at 2l0.880. Under
the Chinese rehabilitation plan, its
forces were to be cut to 100000 men.
Chinas naval strength then consisted
of cruisers, II destroyers and 40 mis-
cellaneous craft-all totaling 40,292
tons. Four of the six cruisers were
built before 1900
The strength of Japan, with one of
the worlds finest navies, was placed at
1889 tons. This included 10 battle
ships and battle cruisers, 81 cruisers, 3
aircraft carriers, 80 destroyers, Sc sub
marines and IL miscellaneous craft.