The Indianapolis times., 1932-01-28
JAP ANS GUILT
IN MANCHUR|A
IS LAID BARE
Inside Story of Conquest Is
Revealed by Release of
Secret Exchanges.
NIPPON IN BAD LIGHT
Toxic Shown in Position of
Riding RoughShod Over
Peace Treaties.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMNIS
Scripps-Howard Foreign Editor

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-The
Sino-Japanese conflict today entered
a new and more dangerous phase,
the end of which anxious officials
here did not dare predict.
simultaneously, the whole inside
story was made public through a
release of hitherto secret exchanges
between the nations involved
America, Japan. China ard the
League of Nations-as demanded by
the senate.
From beginning to end-from the
capture of Mukden to beleaguered
Shanghai-Japan is revealed as rid
ing rough-shod over the peace
treaties and even over her more
recent pledges to attain her OBJ
jectives.
In none of the documents-save
the Chinese-iS she formally singled
out as violator of the covenant of
the league, the nine-power treaty or
the kellogg pact outlawing war. But
at times some of them come close
to it.
Watched Her Step
Nevertheless, what Japan has
done, she did by stages, hating
after each major move as if to
weigh what the effect of it would
be on the United States and
Europe. Then, as nothing more
than another written protest came
her way, she proceeded with the
next adventure.
First she captured Mukden and
the strategic points close by. Then
she broadened out, to the Nonni
river, to TSitSihar, to Chinchow,
and finally to Shanghai.
There are siXty-three documents.
The first is from China to the
league of nations, dated Sept. 21,
1881. In it she informs the league
that Japan had taken Mukden by
force of arms and invokes Article
II of the league covenant, author
izing the league to take immediate
steps to prevent further develop
ment of situation endangering the
peace of nations.
Pact Is Invoked
simultaneously, China sent a note
to Washington, invoking the Kel-
logg pact, accusing Japan of "un-
provoked and unwarranted attack"
and deliberate violation of the
pact"
Secretary Stimson complied i'm
mediately on Sept. %, by sending
memorandum to japanese AM
bassador Debuchi, expressing sur
prise and concern.
Here point is made clear upon
which the American public has
been a trif1e hazy, namely, why
the United States did not act on
it's own and invoke either the
nine-power treaty or the Kellogg
pact.
Co-Operates With League
The reason was that China had
appealed to the league and the
league happened to be in session,
and it was decided to have the
United States and the league CO.
operate.
The league sent identic notes to
both China and Japan, urging them
to try to withdraw their troops
forthwith" and to refrain from any
act which might aggravate the sit
uation.
China's reply to the league
pledged complete compliance, but
Japan's indicated she would much
rather the league would stay out of
it and let her settle with the
Chinese alone. Nevertheless she
stated her troops had been with
drawn, save for a few, and these
would be called in as soon as the
situation improved.
DisagreeS With Japan
Then came the bombardment of
Chinchow by twelve japanese war
planes. Stimson asked Toxic for
an explanation. Toxic replied the
incident was of no great import
ance.
The secretary. of state can not
understand how the bombing of
Chinchow can be n1ininized or how
it can be said to be of no import
ance," Ambassador Forbes was in
structed to tell the Japanese.
Bombing Of an unfortified and
unWarned town." he said, 'is one of
the most extreme of military ac-
tions, deprecated in time of war"
Followed another series Of notes
OF no very startling content. But
always, instead of diminishing their
troops, the japanese sent in more,
and ordered them to advance.
Now came the promise to the
league and to Washington not to