Evening star., 1932-10-03
The Condemnation of Japan.

though its language is studiously factual
rather than critical, the report consti-
tutes q sweeping condemnation OF
Japan, especially the action of its mill
tary authorities, in setting up the in
dependent state of Manchukuo without
anything savoring Of support by the
Chinese inhabitants Of the three east
ern provinces.
Both in its inception and in its ex-
ecution, the whole story Of japanese
operations in Manchuria since the fate
full night OF September 18, 1881, is
characterized as chapter OF events
written in violation of the League
covenant, the Washington nine-power
treaty and the Kellogg pact. Though
there is no mention Of it by name, the
Hoover Doctrine" OF non-recognition
Of situations created in aggressive de-
fiance OF international agreements finds
inferential and ample vindication at the
hands of the League investigators.
The Earl Of Lytton and his fellow
Investigators, who included Maj. Gen
Frank r. Mccoy Of the United States
Army and representatives of France
Italy and Germany, conducted their in
quiries with transparent thoroughness
Not the least noteworthy passage in ar
altogether remarkable document Is the
commissioners recital of their diff
culties in obtaining unbiased testimony
about the circumstances leading up tc
the establishment of the Manchukuc
government. Chinese witnesses were
loath to subject themselves to japanese
terrorism and reprisals. and the COM
mission was compelled to rely to con-
siderable extent on the evidence sup
piled secretly and through private cor
respondence. 1t left the investigators
in no doubt that Manchukuo owes its
origin as a sovereign state wholly to
Japanese military Vaccinations.
Riddled too, by the League fact
finders Is the basic japanese contention
that Tokio's policy in Manchuria origi-
mated in the necessity for "self-de-
fense." The commission tells of testi-
mony emanating even from japanese
sources that the destruction" of the
South Manchurian Railway in Septem-
ber, 1881, which Immediately precipi-
tated the seizure of Mukden and sub
sequent subjugation Of Chinese au-
thority throughout Manchuria, was con-
fined to the dislocation of thirty-one
inches of railway track. That this break
was of no vital consequence, the League
found, is demonstrated by the fact that
express trains proceeded over 1t at full
speed without damage and arrived at
destination on scheduled time.
Happily, the League Commission S
findings are not confined, sweeping as
these are in themselves, to a rebuke of
japanese military procedure in China
The commissioners are definitely con-
structive in their recommendations, as
well. They return to the principle laid
down at the Washington Conference of
1922, that the stability OF China is
still an international problem and that
its solution is just as much Of multi
lateral duty resting upon the world as
1t was when the nine-power treaty was
concluded to bring it about
Therefore the league commissioners
urge upon Japan and China the i'm
perative duty of settling the Manchu-
rian question amicably between them
selves, with outside world cooperation
if desired. Japans undeniably impor-
tant economic needs and interests in
Manchuria and China are freely
acknowledged. China's responsibility
for misgovernment within her own do
main is as categorically affirmed Con
sideration Of the interests Of Russia"
finds place among the ten concrete
principles put forward as the basis Of "a
satisfactory solution for permanent
peace" But without Sino-Japanese
conciliation as a condition precedent.
that or any other solution is branded
as devoid Of any lasting promise Of
success.
Perhaps the most constructive sug-
gestion offered to bring about such a
result is the recommendation of auton-
omy for Manchuria, not as an "inde-
pendent" state on the lines formulated
by Japan, but as special regime under
ho of hn
ment of China. 1t goes without saying
that such development would become
feasible only If there were a central
government of China worthy Of the
name.
Early Toxic cables reflect the ex-
pected reaction to the Leagues report.
That reaction Is hostile and defiant Of
Geneva's right to dictate" to Japan.
For the moment the only action pro-
jected as a protest against the Leagues S
interference" is Japans withdrawal
from membership. That would be a
matter concerning only Japan and that
body. But the commissions conclusive
verdict that Japan has wrecked the
whole peace organization" OF the world
is something else, and something that
can hardly be allowed to end with the
pigeonholing of . 100, o,000-word report
in the archives Of Geneva.
Japan has requested postponement OF
the League Councils consideration OF
the Lytton report until November IA
1t will then be the worlds move.
A Remarkable Base Ball Record.
The prompt and emphatic manner In