Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-13
LEAGUES FUTURE
| IS HELD AT STAKE
Observers Think Failure in
Crisis Would Sound Its
Death Knell.
Continued From First Page)

League Council undoubtedly read before
attending today's meeting the following
assertions:
/. That the Japanese invasion Of
Chinese territory in Manchuria was
premeditated.
q That Japan's pretexts were mere
preteXts.
8. That the Japanese general staff
| wanted and still wants war.
| 4. That Japan's real aim was to re-
[ peat at Mukden the coup which some
years ago gave 1t Port Arthur.
5. That Japan. by failing to act on
the Leagues resolution, has plainly
designated itself as the aggressor.
Views Gaining Ground.
These views. however extreme they
| may appear, seem to be gaining ground
| here The Chinese delegates demand an
| international inquiry into the lombard
ment of ChincfoW and the military situ-
| alton in Manchuria in general, The state
ment of Gen. Chang Kai-Shek. Presi-
dent of China. that If the League and
the peace pacts fail to function China
will go to war in self-defense is taken
seriously in Geneva. especially as all re-
ports agree that anti-Japanese senti-
ment and the boycott of japanese goods
are spreading rapidly through China.
The japanese on their part. are lay
/ ing down the following conditions as a
preliminary to the withdrawal of their
/ troops:
/. That China must admit its re-
sponsiblitv for the present crisis.
2. That the Chinese must re-estab,
lish order and assure the safety Of JapS
! anese nationals.
2. That anti-Japanese agitation must
| cease.
4. That Japan and China must agree
! Immediately on bases for negotiations.
s. That direct ChineseJapanese ne
gotiations must be entered into.
| Slight Chance Of Recession.
| At the present moment there appears
! to be not the slightest chance that
either China or Japan will recede from
the respective positions thus taken I'M
less the League of Nations and the
| United States can find more powerful
methods of persuasion than those now
used.
Meanwhile. It is declared. Japan is
maneuvering both politically and mill
tarily to drive Marshal Chang Hsueh-
LANG from power in Manchuria and to
put in Chang Sian, who Is said to be
favorable to Japan.
The United States. through it's Geneva
consul. Prentiss B. Gilbert. is watching
|
" and is consulting with both League
| officials and leading members of the
Council
1t is possible that Mr.. Gilbert will be
invited to sit in a consultative capacity
with the League Council. though some
doubt is expressed whether Japan
would consent to such a step.
Conversations with foreign diplomats
have concerned. it is said, not only
League action but the possibly of the
United States invoking the Kellogg pact
and the nine-power treaty of 1922
wherein Japan, along with the other
signatories. pledged itself to respect the
territorial and administrative integrity
of China.
Interest of all the European states
in the affair is particularly keen, be-
cause they seem to realize the peace OF
Europe is also involved. II the League
cannot stop war in Manchuria. what
assurance. it is asked, is there that 1t
can stop a war in Europe?
We must succeed now or all Is lost
said the Spanish representative. Saliva
dor de Madariaga, Ambassador to
Washington, who, in the absence OF
Spanish Foreign Minister Alexandra
LerrouX, is presiding over the Council
tCopyright, 1919