The Bismarck tribune., 1931-10-17
ARMY IS OPPOSED
TO INTERFERENCE
BY OTHER NATIONS
Tokyo Sees Serious Situation
If Decision Is Made
Against It
HOPE FOR SENSIBLE Way
Say 'SeIf-Defense' Can Be
Proved II Tribunal Hears
All Evidence
HOPE FOR SENSIBLE Way

the event the latter refuses to recon-
slider Tokyo,s contentious In the
league councils discussions Of the
Sino-Japanese dispute over Man.
churia.
II the league decides unconditional
ly that japanese troops must vacate
Manchurian territory outside the
Japanese controlled South Manchur-
ian railway zone. the Tokyo admin
istration likely will have to face =
serious situation.
The army stands opposed to the
interference OF any outside agency In
adjustment Of the main problem.
A spokesman for the foreign Of
flee said:
Tokyo still has very grave doubts
as to the propriety or strict correct
ness Of the leagues decision-that Is,
the question Of whether the American
observer rightly or wrongly is entit-
led to sit In the council sessions
Therefore the government has every
hope that some sensible way will be
found eventually to satisfy all par
ties"
Holds 70 Contention
As Viewed In government circles,
Japan will continue to adhere TO its
contention the Kellogg pact was not
violated when Japan occupied certain
Chinese territory in self defense"
and questions whether the league will
be able to prove anything to the con-
trary II Tokyo's case Is given careful
consideration.
Tokyo's argument to Geneva Is that
China cannot possibly force Japan to
declare war.
In the eyes Of the japanese, the
Chinese are not In the least considered
as warriors, Japan looks upon the
Chinese as pacifistS at heart, much
preferring verbal row to actual CON-
bat. it being more Of tho Chinese ma
ture to haggle than to scuffle.
For this reason Tokyo believes d.
rect negotiations with China offers
the most logical opportunity for solu-
tion Of the three hundred odd ques.
tions which have been hanging fire
between them for years and
which brought to head the present
trouble.
III left to ourselves" said the for
eign spokesman, China and Japan
will find some way to get together
and settle the present dispute. It
may require months, possibly years,
but the two nations will never fight.
That Is the point we desire to make
clear to Geneva"
Say u. S. Meddlesome'
Army authorities were quoted by
the press as characterizing the at
itude of the United States in the
Manchurian situation as extremely
raeddlesome"
Receipt OF dispatches that the
League Of Nations council had de-
cided to permit an American rep
resentative to participate in discus
sions over Manchuria created such
concern among officials that the war
and foreign departments continued
activity Saturday despite q national
holiday.
Army authorities, according to the
Rengo news agency, contended that,
since the government repeatedly had
stated the recent difficulties in Man
churia should be settled without the
Intervention of third party 1T is
extremely meddlesome on Americas
part to concern herself with q serious
issue arising from a region where
Japan has special, peculiar relations.
Such q step would only irritate the
sensitive feelings of the japanese
people"
Want No Third Party
Minister Of War Giro Minami call
ed representatives Of the vernacular
newspapers to Q conference At which
he said the Geneva action was
plainly an attempt to drag America
into the affair"
Emphasizing Japan's contention
that no third party should be brought
into the negotiations, he said, ut Is
quite natural that the leagues ef-
forts, amounting to little short Of In
tervention, cannot please Japan"
Minami said American participa-
ton in the proceedings was liable Ito
defeat the very aim Of the council as
that would only encourage q wrong
attitude in China to avoid direct
negotiations with Japan and to
make use Of third party for her
selfish ends"
He said he doubted the leagues
facilities were capable of gaining the
proper knowledge Of the complicated
Manchurian situation where 'regu!s-
Chinese troops under the disguise OF
bandits, were encouraged to attacs
japanese soldiers and where Chinese
army authorities countenanced the
massacre Of numerous non-combat-
ant Koreans"