Evening star., 1932-01-16
Ianan Submits Her Alibi.

Japan has replied to Secretary Slim
sons recent note on her conquest OF
Manchuria with communication which
purrs softly in comparison with Amer
icaS rugged remonstrance. Divested OF
face-saving verbiage and diplomatic cir
cumlocution, Tokio's message boils down
to two cardinal points-O that in
so far as japan can control the Sit
ustion, the open door will be main
tanned "in Manchuria, as in China
proper" and (2) that abnormal condi-
tions in China. which could not have
been anticipated by the trainers OF
either the nine-power treaty or the Kel-
logg pact. required the extraordinary
measures to which Japan recently found
itself compelled to resort.
Presumably the United States will
content itself with Japan's assurances
and refrain from prolonging a contro-
versy which could result in little except
piling up fresh SheafS of diplomatic
correspondence. The cardinal demand
stressed in Secretary Stimson's protest
the requirement that nothing in the
de facto situation created by the occu-
patton of Manchuria shall prejudice
American rights THERE'S categorically
conceded. The Japanese cannot now
exploit their dominant position in the
conquered territory to the disadvantage
of foreign trade without committing
another fragrant breach of international
good faith.
The Toxic government is at great
pains to justify the legality of the ar
rangements the japanese military COM
manders made as they plunged through
Manchuria. whereby new local officials
were set up under their direction to
carry on a semblance of continued
Chinese authority. Foreign Minister
Yoshizawa pleads that when Nippon's
! soldiers took possession Of Mukden,
Kirin, Tsitsihar, Chinchow and other
Manchurian centerS, they found that
local officials had either fled or re-
signed" 1t was the behavior Of these
Chinese functionaries, Japan insists,
! that was calculated to destroy the
working of the apparatus of govern
ment" and make necessary replace
ment of administrative personnel" !"
Japan would have us understand that
these Replacement" are purely Of
Chinese origin and occurred in spirit
Of inalienable elf-determination."
The japanese note, which Is not de-
void of arguments and language fire.
quently Gilbertian in favor, repeats"
that Japan entertains no territorial
aims or ambitions in Manchuria.' What
has been done, the United States Is
asked to believe, has solely in mind
"the welfare and safety of Manchuria
and its accessibility for general trade. "
1t is not difficult to imagine the twinkle
that must have agitated the eye of
Foreign Minister Yoshizawa as he wrote
these lines to Secretary Stimson:
The government of Japan is well
aware that the Government Of the
United States could always be relied
upon to do everything in its power
to support Japan's efforts to secure
full and complete fulfillment in
every detail of the treaties of Wash
ington and the Kellogg treaty for the
outlawry Of war. At the pres
ent juncture. when the very existence
of our national policy is involved, 1t
is agreeable to be assured that the
American Government Is devoting,
in friendly spirit. its sedulous care
to correct appreciation Of the sit
uation.
Once it was written that the pen is
mightier than the sword Japan now
gives the world perfect demonstration
Of the deadly effectiveness of both
| weapons