Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-08
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page -

unJuStlHeus Willie Japan Will iSASSA
ate that China herself brought on
the Manchurian crisis; that the Tokyo
government had to protect its inter-
ests. and that in doing so 1t had
never, as charged. violated single
one of the international treaties ex-
listing between Japan and other coun-
tries.
What May be Done.
Since the Manchurian crisis must
either, as it were. justify-or fail to
justify-the continued existence OF
the League of Nations. it is probable
that some face-saving device will be
invented. 1t may be that Japan's
attitude and actions will be officially.
but gently. reproved; that the League
will refuse to recognize the new
state" Manchukuo. which Japan has
established in Manchuria, and that n
Cancellation commission will be or
ganized to negotiate with both Japan
and China concerning some of the
definite principles and suggestions
made in the LyttOn report.
No clear white-washing of Japan is
looked for; nor is there reason to eX-
pect strong condemnation of Japan.
as little as drastic action against her,
but it may be that the League in
some final resolution will succeed in
crystallizing an opinion which. at
least for the time being. will save it
from utter disgrace.
For that matter. blame ought not
attach to the League as such; the
fundamental reasons for ineffective
action lie deeper than mere momen-
tary ineptitude, for as long as Soviet
Russia and the United States, two of
the greatest powers of the world are
not members, any action the League
may wish to take. is bound to be in
complete. unsatisfactory and practi-
cally ineffective.
Government by Decree.
After more than two weeks of con-
ferences and partisan pickering Ger
many again has chancellor and a
cabinet. for President Paul Won Hin
denburg, Disguised with the lack of
cooperation eyinced by the major
minister of defense, General Kurt Won
Schleicher, successor to Chancellor
Franz Won Papen; Won Schleicher re-
tains. in addition. his post as mini
ster of defense
Baron konStantin Won Neurath once
more is foreign minister of the Ger
man republic, and the rest of the cab
met members. with one exception
were all members of the former Won
Papen government.
Under the circumstances ii Is i'm
possible TO organize any government
majority in the parliament, and thus
the Won Schleicher regime will be re-
sponsible to the president rather than
to the national assembly. In other
words: Just as during the Won Papen
period, the country again will be
under a decree government. Parlia-
ment, elected November s. met this
week, and by the time these lines are
being read. it may have been dissolved
since the chancellor, almost certain
of not obtaining any majority support
had been fortified with a presidential
decree Of dissolution; he may, how
ever, elect the milder course OF
merely postponing, for some months
the sessions of parliament
Anyhow, the change of chancellor
is not likely to effect any vital
change of the political situation in
Germany: the system. the spirit. the
method are the same as under Won
Papen.
Congress Meets.
Last Monday the congress of the
United States started proceedings
briskly by defeating a motion to re-
peal the eighteenth constitutional
amendment.
1t probably is a question whether
the American people is more inter.
ested in attempts to repeal prohibi-
ton or in the payment of European
war debts. but there can be no doub,
that both of these problems at the
present time are more energetically
discussed in this country than any
others. More notes have gone back
and forth between America and
Europe in regard to the war debts
and the situation right now, subject
to such changes as may have been
suggested in the presidential mes
sage to congress, is about like this
Great Britain has asked postpone.
ment Of $50 1000, 900 principal and $685.
$4,000 interest due December Is;
France has formally asked postpone
ment of $19,261 ,432; Belgium followed
the example by asking postponemen,
of S2,125,OO0; CzechOslovakia wants
postponement pending new debt
agreements; Poland wants to wait;
Greece defaulted on payment due No
vember 10; Hungary will default be-
cause she has not the necessary for
~eign exchange with which to pay;
Latvia and Estonia have postponed