Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-22

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STATUS OF SEPT. 50 RESTORED.
Eeague Council Proposes Investigation
Of Manchurian Situation.
Copyright. 1881, the Associated PTess)
PARIS, November 21.-The most the
League c. Nations was able to accom-
plish today in its attempt to effect
peace in Manchuria was to obtain an
agreement by China to consider pro-
poSal for an investigation under League
auspices.
Kenkicf1i Yoshizawa. the japanese
delegate, proposed that the investiga-
ton be conducted throughout China
proper as well as in Manchuria. The
League approved the inquiry so far as
Manchuria IS concerned.
DR.. Alfred SEE, Chinese delegate,
consciously chung to his position that
evacuation by the japanese troops be
made q prerequisite to any investiga-
ton.
The Japanese delegate announced
his government was prepared to with
draw its troops to the treaty zone as
soon as 1t was assured that the property
and lives of its nationals were safe.
Back 20 Earlier Status
On the surface this exchange
seemed to restore the situation to the
status Of September 80, when M. YoShi-
Kawa declared evacuation would be &C
complished as fast as security cond1-
tiors permitted.
Japans proposal for an inquiry
covering all China was made at q
public meeting Of the council. 1t con-
tanned no rference to the Toxic govern
ment's frequently reiterated demand
for recognition by China OF the validity
Of existing Sino-Japanese treaties.
This omission was looked upon by
League officials as an indication japan
was adopting o more conciliatory atti-
tude. Hope was reawakened that a
peaceful solution Of the conflict might
be found.
The meeting was adjourned with the
understanding that the japanese pro-
posal would be put In writing IN oroer
that it might be studied by the chinese
delegation.
The suggested Manchurian inquiry
received the approval Of the Council
delegates from Great Britain, France,
italy, Poland, Jugoslavia, Norway,
Guatemala, Peru, Panama and Ireland.
. Put HostiIities First.
Germanys delegate, Gerhard Mutius,
said he thought the Leagues 1mmedi-
ate task was to end the hoStilities in
Manchuria rather than to attempt to
deal with the entire Chinese problem.
Alexandra Lerroux Of Spain agreed with
his statement, and declared the settle
ment should be based on conditions OF
security and not on questions OF treaty
recognition.
DR.. SEE explained his government was
not opposed to an impartial inquiry, but
he could not, he declared, discuss any
such proposal unless Japan agreed that
hostilities cease Immediately and that
evacuation begin without delay.
1.-The military occupation OF China's
territory by japanese forces in viola
ton Of solemn treaties and OF the
League covenant is the cr11x OF the STU
ation,'' DR.. SIZE declared.
mo disposition which fails to pro-
vide for the immediate cessation Of all
military operations and the withdrawal
Of those forces, Immediately set in mo-
ton and progressively executed over q
period Of time Of the shortest possible
duration, can pretend to be q solution
Of the problem.
viii Assume Responsibility.
''AEy government cannot bargain for
withdrawal or consent that withdrawal
be made dependent upon any other
matter than the arranging Of details for
the securing Of the safety Of life and
property in the evacuated areas.
China is prepared to assume full re-
gponsibility for the maintenance of pub
lie order and the security of life and
property of Japanese nationals in Man
churia outside the area Of the (Japa-
nese operated) South Manchurian Rail-
way.
''If further assurances seem necessary,
any reasonable arrangement involving
neutral cooperation under the auspices
on the League will be accepted.
: Suffering Increasing.
"Face to face with events which
rapidly march from bad to worse we
have long been engaged in discussions
a which have led to no fruitful results
except, perhaps, TO make more clear
Aae issue which Is before the Council
This issue is now plain and the time
has come to act, for while we debate
suffering Is increasing and irreparable
: damage is being done.
Further delay can render only
more dimcult the task which confrontS
us.
In order to secure prompt and COM
plete evacuation of its territory China
has the firm intention of demand, as
circumstances may require, every right
. and remedy secured to it as member
of the League of Nations by Article XXI
or any other article or articles"
YOShizawa's Proposal.
{ M. YoShizawa made his proposal to
The Council in these words:
The Japanese government believes
the essential condition OF a funda-
mental solution of the question is the
= true knowledge Of the situation in its
entirety, in China as well as in
Manchuria.
I'm this spirit Japan proposes that
the League of Nations send to the spot
o commission of study :"
ut Is understood this commission
would not be competent to intervene
In negotiations which might be pro-
crossing between the two parties nor to
supervise the movements of military
forces of one party or the other
This last clause was interpreted as
not preventing the study of the mill
tary situation, but only as forbidding
the issuance of directions to the mill
tary commanders.
2. CHINA REVIEWS APPEAL.