Evening star., 1932-02-21
British Opinion Favors
Rebuking of Japanese
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON. February 20-Japan's def
ance of the public opinion OF the world
and her scorn of treaties, coupled with
the eminent peril Of catastrophe to the
interests Of British nationals in Shang-
hal, has consolidated feeling here and
silenced her supporters in the press.
The question is asked whether japan
has torpedoed the League of Nations.
Events will supply the answer.
The League Councils note practically
puts japan III the dock and China's
demand for the sunimoning Of the As
sembly of the League could not be re-
sisted. No one doubts that the Assembly
will declare that Japan has violated the
covenant and will call for action under
Article XVI. Meanwhile powerful pres
sure is being put on the British govern
ment to take immediate measures under
the covenant in concert with the United
States and members of the League. 1t
is felt that events are moving with such
startling activity that further delay
would be fatal.
The Councils decision Friday TO call
an extraordinary session Of the full
League Assembly left no doubt of the
practical unanimity Of the Council in
regard to aggression by Japan. In spite
of the pro-Japanese tone of the Paris
press of late. the French government
is fully in step with the rest of the
Council.
In regard to the powers outside the
League, it is assumed that the United
States would cooperate. The case of
Russia is perplexing. and some informed
opinion holds the view that an under
standing has been reached between
Moscow and Toxic. This, however. does
not agree with opinions expressed by
@rr%T
the Russian governments sympathies
are with China.
As to the course of action open to
the League, the London Times warns
Japan not to reckon on continuance
of mere protest, and in the press and
Parliament the British government is
being urged to press the Council to
substitute deeds for words The with
draWal of Ambassadors and the closing
of ports against Japan are now advo-
Gated as methods to bring Toxic to
reason. 1t is admitted that. in view
of the defiant attitude Of Japan, these
eXpedients are attended by grave risks.
No possibility can be ruled out in the
case of a power which has acted with
deliberate disregard for treaty obliga-
tionS and the traditions of civilized
procedure, and it is recognized that
I Japan's predominance in her own
waters is overwhelming Moreover, the
Japanese have threatened that eco
nomic action by the League and the
powers would involve violent retaliation
at Chinese ports. and even Singapore,
should the risk be taken.
! 1t is significant that the most urgent
/ pressure on the League comes from
the liberal pacifist section of the press.
! I'VE don't believe" says the new states
| man. that united opposition by the
| Leagues states and America would be
| forcibly opposed by Japan. On the
contrary. it is the only effective way
of bringing Japan to her senses.
Japanese public opinion puts on
brazen front. but remains sensitive to
/ the Judgment Of the world. And the
! question is not merely whether sne
world can afford to fight Japan: it is
whether Japan can afford to fight the
world. Against concentrated economic
pressure the japanese could hope for
nothing but pyrrhic victory and the
japanese want no pyrrhic victories;
| they are realists."
Against the risks attending action 4
is urged that the risks of inaction are
still greater If the conflagrstion
spreads the casus belli must arise and
/ the powers, in spite OF themselves. Will
be caught in the vortex. Further, II
the League is successfully defied now
! its prestige is gone and it cannot sur
vive the humiliation if the world re-
verts to competitive ornaments. In
short. the danger of acting in concert
is negligible compared with the danger
of not calling Japan's bluff. All opinion
agrees now on lamenting the fact that
! action was not taken in the earliest
| stage Of Japan's challenge.
1 lCnnYright, 1927