Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-12
CHINA 1ERTENS
TO DECLARE WAR.
Demands "JuSt Settlement"
of Dispute With Japan
by League Council.
Continued From First Page.)


League of Nations failed to obtain a
"just settlement" of the differences be-
tween China and Japan his country
would resort to war.
The gravest concern was expressed at
the State Department over the threat.
Secretary Stirnson, Undersecretary
Castle and Dr. Stanley Hornbeck, chief
of the Far Eastern Division, were at
their ofices early to receive the latest
reports.
First Mention Of War.
The American Government already
has urged the League OF Nations to
assert all the pressure and authority
at its command to halt the threatened
outbreak Of war between the two
countries.
At the same time, however, this Gov
eminent has held itself free 10 move
independently to quiet the troubles in
the East.
The speech by Chang Kai-Shek was
regarded as probably the gravest de-
velopment Of the dispute. Both China
and Japan have heretofore refrained
from any mention Of resort to war.
Free to Act Independently.
It was made clear today that the
American Government feels entirely
free to act Independently prior TO action
by the League II it considers the situa-
ton in Manchuria calls for such q move
| to prevent war.
Secretary Stimson said the American
note of last Friday to the League was
not at all to be interpreted as inferring
that the United States has adopted a
hands of policy pending action by the
League.
In the note the United States indi-
| Gated It's intention Of invoking treaties
! to which 1t Is q party II the situation
/ should become serious enough to war
rant 1t.
Whether the events Of the last "a
hours would be looked upon as warrant
ing independent action was not indi-
Gated.
China, through its diplomatic repre-
sentatives here, has asked the United
States TO attach observers to the
Chinese Army to supervise the Japa-
nese evacuation, but refusal of this was
considered virtually certain today.
| Whether the United States will be
represented by an observer at the
Leagues special session on Manchuria
| in Geneva tomorrow was not made
/ known. but there was possibility that
PrentiSS Gilbert American consul gen.
eral at Geneva, might be authorized to
sit in to keep the United States advised
of all moves.
Once President Hoover and Secretary
Stimson are convinced definitely that
| the step Is necessary, they are prepared
to call upon the disputants to observe
their treaty obligations. They may in
woke either the Kellogg BRAND pact
outlawing war or the nine-power Pacific
treaty Of 1922. To both China and
Japan are signatory.
| League Assured Cooperation.
The nations are both committed, also,
j through their League of Nations COW
Eenant against aggression.
The State Department assured the
League of Nations Of its cooperation in
the situation Friday after President
Hoover and his cabinet had studied the
question at length.
II believe our cooperation in the fu-
ture handling of this difficult matter
should proceed along the course which
has been followed ever since the out
break of the trouble fortunately found
the Assembly and Council of the League
Of Nations in session." Secretary Slim
son said in his note, made public yes
| terday. THE Council has deliberated
long and earnestly on this matter and
| the Covenant of the League of Nations
/ provides permanent and already tested
machinery for handling such issues. d" I"
THE Council has formulated conclu-
sions and outlined q course Of action
| to be followed by the disputants, and as
| the said disputants have made COM
mitmentS to the Council, 1t is most de-
| sirable that the League in no way
relax its vigilance and In no way fail
| to assert all the pressure and authority
within its competence toward regulat-
| ing the action Of China and Japan in
the premises.
"On its part the American Govern
ment acting independently through It's
diplomatic representatives, will endeavor
to reinforce what the League does and
will make clear that 1t has a keen in
| terest in the matter and Is not obliviouS
to the obligations which the disputants
have assumed to their fellow signatories
in the pact of Paris (Kellogg- BRAND
treaty. as we'll as In the nine-power
pact should time arise when 1t would
seem advisable to bring forward those
obligations"
Japan CIings to Policy.
| Meanwhile, as word reached Toxic
that the United States contemplated
more forceful Intervention in an eff
! fort to mold world public opinion
| against the Manchurian hostilities, a
foreign Office spokesman reiterated that
Japan abides by the "hands-off" pol
| icy 1t enunciated after the initial fight
ing last month at Mukden.
| He contended again the affair was
local matter for settlement between
] the involved nations Japan stood
( ready, he said, to discuss peace princi-
| Piles with China as soon as assurances
we're given that China is prepared to
assume a police authority in the Man.
churian districts now occupied by
Japanese troops.
China has declined to deal directly
with Toxic while Japan's soldiers re-
tain control in Manchuria. 1t ap-
| pealed to the League of Nations, con-
| tending 1t had been forcefully invaded.
Even with the press of domestic eco
non1ic affairs, President Hoover has
| found time to study the Manchurian
developments closely. Secretary Slim
son has devoted practically ali Of his
time to the situation recently and kept
| the Chief Executive closely informed
| even yesterday at the presidential lodge
| in Virginia.
V In Washington, Ambassador Debuchi
Of japan and Yung Kwai, the Chinese
charge d'affaireS, have been requested
to inform their governments of Amer
ica's desire to see peace prevail
The $4,000 square miles Of land
| lying DSLWceu NAHlu proper anu SlDeIla
is one of the richest sections of China
In natural resources. japanese invest
ments in the sector total more than a
| billion dollars.
| For years an Oriental trouble breeder.
| two major wars have been fought over
Manchuria and even now Russian
troops have been reported modified on
the Siberian frontier awaiting even
Qualities.
CHIANG'S PATIENCE ENDED.