The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-20
JAPAN YIELDS;
PEACE HOPES
ARE BRIGHTER
Opposition to U. S. Observer
at Geneva Farley Is
Withdrawn.
TRIUMPH FOR ENVOY
Ambassador to Washington
Swings Toxic to His
Point of View.
TRIUMPH FOR ENVOY
BY JOSEPH II. BAIRD
United Press STAFF COrresnondent


WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-A dip
lomatic drama ended happily Mon
day night, when Ambassador Ktsuii
Debuchi of Japan brought Secre-
tary of State Stimson tidings from
the Toxic foreign office that it no
longer opposed American represent
alton on the league council at
Geneva.
Debuchi's message meant that
Prentiss Gilbert, American CONSUL
at Geneva, could continue his eff
forts in the league council to bring
peace to Japan and China without
feeling that he was an intruder.
But it meant more. It meant that
the japanese ambassador in Wash
ington had taken a long chance
and won
There is drama in diplomacy as
we'll as in war. On a concealed
stage, Debuchi, for nearly a week,
had been the central figure in a
play, the ending of which could not
be foretold. He had staked his
reputation on his Judgment.
Stakes All on Opinion
Toxic believed Gilbert had no
right in the league council. De-
buchi, it is said, disagreed, because
he believed the United States was
impartial, and anxious to work with
Japan for peace. He told his for
eign office what he thought, and in
frank language.
To those who knew the ways of
foreign Offices and diplomats, De-
buchi's action had two possible eff
fects: The smiling, diminutive en-
voy, they felt, soon would be a dip
lomat of increased preStige-or an
ex-dipiomat. Today he still is Jap
anese ambassador to Washington.
Toxic, however, has not yielded
its basic cOntentiOn-that the
league councils action in inviting
a non-member- country to its de-
liberations was juridicially wrong.
Debuchi made that plain to
Stimson. He told the secretary that
Japan's representative in Geneva
would continue his fight against
the legalistic validity of the leagues
action. But there will be no re-
sentiment Of Gilbert's presence. To
that Japan agrees cordially.
Fighting Planes Withdrawn
Debuchi had other good news for
Stimson. Japanese fighting planes
which intensified Chinese resent
ment recently by bombing Chin
chow-have been withdrawn into
Korea, he said. So has a small de-
tachment of land troops.
The ambassador did not mini
mize the difficulties of meeting the
Chinese demand to withdraw all
japanese troops from Mancnurian
towns. where they are protecting
Japanese civilians. Japan contends
this can not be done until Chinese
resentment has cooled and Japa-
nese nationals are safe.
Yet the ambassador found rea-
son for hope in the fact that there
has been no fighting in Machuria
for five days. Ten days more of such
quiet, he thought, measurably
would ease the present tension.
Debuchi reported other favorable
trends toward peace and stability
in Manchuria. Banks are reopen
ing, he said; most of the railroads
are running; arrangements are be-
ing made to reopen the Mukden
wireless station.
Charges Japanese Seizure
In the wake of these favorable
reports, however, came a statement
from the Chinese legation, quoting
Robert E. Lewis, American Y. M. c.
A. secretary now in Manchuria, as
charging that "the rape of Man
churia is nearly completed by the
Japanese army" Lewis allegations
were forwarded here by the Chinese
government
AS quoted by the legation, Lewis
said Japanese forces had advanced
into Chinese territory 239 miles out
side the South Manchurian railway
treaty zone.
Lewis information, the message
attributed to him said, was founded
on what he saw personally and what
he heard from neutralS and other
informed persons.
THE japanese army" the mes
sage said, lis feverishly consolidat-
ing its hold on all principal towns
in Manchuria outside the railway
zones northward, including Kirin
and TaoLan, and from Korea on
the east to Mongolia on the west.
Tries to Influence Princes
THE japanese army is trying to
induce the Monaghan princes to
sign away their rights and to set up
an independent government under
Japanese protection.
THE Japanese have seized and
impounded the major Chinese bank
reserves, deposits. corporation rec
ords and industrial as well as mill
tary supplies of large proportions.
1.-THE Japanese censor all press
dispatches and we have proved cases
where the censor changed the mean
ing to the exact opposite intended