Evening star., 1932-09-19

and the United States. The opin-
ions expressed are not necessarily
those OF this newspaper.
BY PROF. NOBUTAKE TAKAGI.
By Cable to The Star.
TOXIC, September 19 (N.AN.A).-
1t is common knowledge abroad that
there are many persons in this country
who believe Japan should withdraw from
the League of Nations. For such
question to have arisen there must have
been sense of grievance among our
people against the League, particularly
as a result of the Manchurian and
Shanghai incidents.
In the Japanese view the attempt of
its legally doubtful resolution epropoS
the events in Manchuria, without COM
plete information and on no more ext
gent grounds than the Chinese allega-
tiOns, and its attempt to justify its ac-
was inconsistent with its aims and
constitution.
Held Lack Of Understanding.
The attempts by the Council and
Assembly of the League to dispose OF
the situation at Shanghai and to EN-
brace within its purview the issue CT
Manchuria were considered by the Jap
aneSe a total lack of understanding of
Japan's position. Japan felt she had
ample cause to express resentment of
the ill-conceived and uninformed inter
vention of the League, and especially Of
the preferential treatment accorded
China Japan held that the action of
!, H.
mischievous. detrimental not only to
herself, but to the peace Of the world
As a founder member of the League
Japans reputation for integrity and
whole hearted cooperation is unim-
peachable. Why, then, had she on this
occasion appealed to force? 1t was be-
cause of the intolerable state of affairs
which had developed in the localities in
question and because prompt action was
inevitable to check the overwhelming
danger of her vested rights and interests
and to the lives of japanese residents
She averred, too. that her operations
never had gone further than absolutely
necessary for defense.
Action Held Inevitable.
The preventive and protective meas
ureS of Japan were inevitable, and NO
ternational law. In this connection.
also, taking into account China's ati-
tude for rad!calism, it must be patent
that politically the country has already
gone aSunder and that socially 1t is
practically in a state of anarchy.
II only the japanese government had
taken adequate steps to keep the real
state of affairs before the world, the
misgivings of her procedure probably
would never have been evoked On the
other hand. the League itself cannot
evade the charge OF mistaklng Japan
defensive and necessary action 1or
war OF aggression.
The consensus of japanese opinion
assumes that the action taken by the
nation, justifiable as it is in the light
of self f-defense, is clearly indorsed by
the criteria subscribed to by all sigma
tories to the covenant: the firm estab-
lishment of the Interpretation of in
ternational law" and the maintenance
Of justice and scrupulous respect Tor
all treaty obligations"
A revision of the Leagues attitude is.
accordingly, deemed incumbent. as 1t
not merely hinders the adjustment OF
the Sino-Japanese complication by dl-
rect conversations. but also deludes
China into the surmise that interna-
tional pledges can wantonly be disre-
garded by the adoption of similar tao
tics.
Stimson Stand Criticized.
incidentally, Secretary Stimson has
charged Japan with being guilty OF
clear breaches of treaty in doing what
she has done" meaning the terms Of
the nine-power agreement and of the
Kellogg BRAND pact. In doing SO, how
ever, he has ignored the fact that it was
China's violations of her solemn under
takings which at length provoked the
Japanese to arms. His contention was
tantamount to encouraging or at least
condoning such lawless conduct by the
Chinese and in the same breath de-
nouncing the legitimate rights of Japan.
Japan has done nothing inimical to
or destructive of the integrity Of
China; and it is an obvious non-sequi-
tor to hold that the declaration of in
dependence of the 30,000,000 Manchu-
rianS, of their own volition, was inSti-
gated by Japan. The American Gov
ernment was represented as serving
notice in advance" that they would
not recognize ANY changes in the status
quo that may be imposed upon China
by Japan by the use of force, in vio-
lation of treaties" Were the League
to indorse such innuendoes, efforts to
reach an equitable solution of the ques-
ton would be Of no avail.
Lack of Organization Blamed.
The source of trouble in dealing with
China is the latter's lack of organiza-
ton and her evasion of responsibility.
There is no really established govern
ment" in that country. 1t is contest
able whether the Chinese do actually
come within the category of an or
ganized people" as laid down in the
covenant. These are facts which, in
the Japanese view, constitute an in
contestable justification for every step
our government has taken, but which
the League has consistently failed to
recognize in her dealings with Japan.
The only conclusion the japanese can
come to, therefore. is that considera-
tions other than the merits OF the case
have prompted the actions taken at
Geneva.
Some read into the Leagues insist
ence on the enforcement of Article XIV
a united international gesture to curb
japanese expansion. An inference ar
rived at strongly savors of the idea
that Japan is regarded by England as
insatiably militaristic, an impression
doubtlessly shared by the United States
as overload of Hawaii and of the Phil
ippines. If the League has been used
as an instrument of the selfish policy
of the great powers, Japan has every
reason solemnly to indict an organ
so used.
League Held No "Super- Estate"
rr,,. ro,o,,. is MT on ohcol,,te instj-