Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-18
League Prestige at Stake
In Manchurian Issue
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, october 17-Behind the
tumult and the shouting OF the eX-
traordinary election campaign now IN
progress the deepest anxiety prevails IN
political circles here in regard to the
momentous controversy between Geneva
and Toxic.
Apart from the gravity of the situa-
ton in Manchuria, it is realized that
the prestige of the League of Nations
and the prospects of the coming Dis
armament Conference are at stake.
The fundamental issue is whether the
pacific machinery for settling interna-
tional disputes can prevail. AS the
London Times remarked, II 1t mao oeen
desired to dramatic the difference be-
tween the methods Of the old diplomacy
and the new, an issue could haroIy
have been more effectively staged than
in the struggle now being waged with
bombs and machine guns in Manchurla
and with arguments and discussions IN
Geneva.
The League has never before had so
formidable a conflict with one OF Its
major members, and it is agreed that II
it energies victorious its authority will
be enormously enhanced. The alterna-
tive of failure will leave the League
Inundated and the future stability OF
the world gravely imperiled.
The most favorable fact in the stu
alton, from the English point of view,
is the cordial cooperation OF the United
States in the efforts of the League to
effect a pacific settlement. Secretary
Stimson's action is much the most strik-
ing gesture Of American readiness to
support the League in a grave cmer-
gency and removes the most serious
difficulty to application of economic
pressure, If that course unfortunately
Is found unavoidable.
Great satisfaction is expressed in the
English press at the decision of the
League Council to override Tokio's OBJ
lection to the United States being in
vited to participate with the Council in
consideration of the Manchurian dis
pute. 1t is admitted that there is some
force in Foreign Minister Shideharas
argument that never before when
controversy arose between member states
of the League has the United States
been asked to take part, and that. while
Japan is ready to welcome the United
States joining the League, the departure
from practice in the present case IS
resented by Japan as an act of ques-
tionable friendlinesS toward that coun-
try.
But the patient insistence Of Lord
Reading, the British foreign minister,
on Americas interest in the problem
and the practical necessity of the most
immediate means of communication be-
tween the League and the State De-
partment carried the Council in favor
of the innovation.
y
While there is no disposition to ig
more Japan's cause for a grievance on
the ground of provocation in Man
churis, informed opinion here is en-
phatic in regard to the unwarrantable
character of the measures taken by the
Japanese military. The Times con-
dennis the desire of the Toxic govern
ment to negotiate with China from the
vantage ground of occupied territory
as a procedure in strict accordance
but inconsistent with the principle OF
League diplomacy and with the obliga-
lions which the members have assumed
under its covenant.
In the opinion Of League experts
here, the Council has allowed the situa-
ton to develop unduly, and it is felt
that decisive economic action would
have been justified at an earlier stage
under the provisions of the nine-power
treaty signed in Washington in 1922.
Article seven of that treaty explicitly
forbids individual action by any sigma
tory state, such as that taken by Japan
in Manchuria, without the agreement
and sanction of the other signatories.
It is argued that the League cannot,
without complete sacrifice Of its pres
tige, condone the act of fragrant In
subordinatien which defies not only the
specific undertakings of the treaty but
the obligations of the covenant and the
terms Of the Kellogg pact.
y
If Japan had accepted the arbitra-
ton of the League and then, in default
of gaining satisfaction, had taken
action, she would have had some de-
Tense: but the action of the army puts
Japan out of court and places China
indisputably in the position Of the
aggrieved party.
If the League fails to secure respect
for its own fundamental principles, a
fatal blow will be- struck at this pacific
organization Of the world and China
will be tempted to turn to Russia for
the help which Geneva failed to give.
tCopyright, 1881