The Bismarck tribune., 1931-11-16
HOPE, PESSIMISM
NTERMINCLED AS
STATESMEN GATHER
Presence of Dawes Is Seen BY
Many as One Bright Spot
in Picture
SITUATION MORE DIFFICULT
War Threat in Manchuria Has
Grown More Menacing
Since Last Meeting
SITUATION MORE DIFFICULT

Paris, Nov. 16.-(P-Pessimism and
hope mingled Monday as the League
of Nations council, transferred from
the placid shores Of Lake Geneva toI
the capital Of the worlds strongest
military power, prepared once again.
to attempt to solve the problem OF
bringing peace to Manchuria.
Most OF the hope was centered on
Charles Gates Dawes. U. s. ambas-
sador to London. out Of whose hat the
more optimistic looked longingly toI
see another dawes Plan," conjured
up, although it was understood to be
unlikely that the United States gov
ernment would sponsor any formal
proposal before the council.
Most Of the cynicism was based on
the admitted fact that the war
threat in Manchuria has grown
more menacing since the council ad-
journed after its two former attempts
to establish peace.
Ambassador Dawes was q prom
inent participant in several interna-
tional conferences Sunday however
including one with Tsuneo Matsudalr, |,
japanese ambassador to London, ana
DR.. Alfred SEE, spokesman for the
Chinese government.
See u. s. in Big Role
These and other activities Of the
American representative led to the
persistent belief that the Uniteu
States was quietly playing an I'M
portant part in the preliminary con-
versations in spite Of the fact that
the government has Withdrawn lts
representative from the council table
itself.
Observers also predicted that the
japanese would offer plan intended
to permit their graceful retirement
from Manchuria and it was under
stood Ambassador Matsudaira. VINO
Is in charge Of the negotiations, had
cabled Tokyo for approval.
Tokyo reported that General Nah
Chan Shan had attacked the Japanese
troops at Tahsing at daybreak Mon
day morning and the japanese gov
ernment, its eyes on the League OF
Nations council session at Paris, an
nounced "the league may not save 1ts
face at the expense OF Japan.
The governments position was made
clear by q spokesman for the foreign
office who conferred with Baron
Shidehara, foreign minister.
Fighting Reported
The report of the battle was con-
tanned in q dispatch from Harbin,
Manchuria, and 1t said severe fight
ing was in progress. An earlier dis
patch to the Rengo news agency Har-
bin said q train scheduled to depart
over the Chinese Eastern railway Tor
Manchuli to connect with the trans
Siberian railroad was delayed because
II reports of q serious situation near
Anganchi, where General Mans army
is located.
Frankly" the foreign office spokes-
man said, I'VE scarcely expect any
resolution or decision adopted by the
league will help matters. AS we have
often stated, we can't visualize SET
tlement reached in that way"
About the only thing the league
might do, as Japan sees It, he said, Is
to recommend direct negotiations be-
tween China and Japan. Tnere were
no suggestions of a compromise plan
he added, in communications SEM
abroad by the foreign office.
"Unless China Is ready to accep'
Aaia Sc YninfG
the present state OF affairs may con-
tinue indefinitely"
Say Offensive Planned
The war office said it had informa'
ton which indicated General Mai
Chan Shan was planning genera
offensive, with the 10000 troops O
Chang Hsueh- h-Laing concentrated a
Chin Chow, to take place before tn
arrival of the reinforcements Whlct
are due at Mukden Thursday IRON
Japan.
Because Of the circumstances" tn
war office statement said, the jap
ancse army desires to make 1t KNOW
that II It is compelled to go into &C
ton the full weight Of the conse
uuences rests upon General Nal
Chan Shan and upon Chang Hsueh
LANG who ordered General Nah II
assume hostile position"
The war department IS planning u
send a number of additional airplane
to Manchuria from Japan and Korea
it was learned. Among them Will b
several bombers.
There will be no nlincing OF word
in the speech Ambassador Yoshizawa
Japanese spokesman, will make to tn
council, it was learned from goo
source at Tokyo. The ambassado
will contend the Chinese policy IS =
disregard all so-called unllatera
treaties not only with Japan but VIII
other countries.