Evening star., 1933-02-19
JEHOL U[T|MATUM
STATUS UNCERTAIN
Capacity of Manchukuo to
Issue Demand Puzzles
World Diplomats.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

The world chancellories are upset by
the ultimatum issued by the Manchukuo
state to the Chinese to evacuate the
province of Jehol.
How can a state which, according
to international law, is not state, is
sue an ultimatum?" is the question
which puzzles the world diplomats, in
Guiding those in Washington.
The Japanese government is certainly
upSetting all the nicetieS of Old World
diplomacy. First of all they have signed
treaties which they say now are not
treaties, then they create state which
all the nations solemnly pledge them
selves not to recognize and make that
state issue ultimate. This has never
been done before, and diplomacy is in
difficulties when it cannot base its
judgment on precedentS.
Manchukuo Orders China Out.
The whole thing, it is admitted, is
farcical, yet how can the governments
interested in the settlement of the Far
Eastern question bring Japan to book,
when it is not Japan but Manchukuo
which orders China out of Jehol and
will eventually declare war on the
Chinese republic?
Geneva is puzZling about the whole
thing and so is Washington.
In spite Of this entirely new situa-
ton, the State Department is expect
ing an invitation from the League of
Nations to participate in the new coun-
Gil of negotiations set up by the League
and which will include Russia and the
United States.
Although nothing much is expected
to result from the activities of this new
organization, it is reliably stated that
America will accept the Geneva invita-
ton.
Since the Council of the League will
not pass its resolution before February
25, 1t is hoped in the State Depart
ment that the invitation will reach
Washington only after the coming into
Office of the Roosevelt administration.
From what has transpired of the
conversations between Secretary Slim
son and the President-elect it appears
beyond doubt that the new government
will not change in any way the present
policy of non recognition, inaugurated
by the Republican administration and
the invitation of the League of Ma
tons will be accepted by the American
Government regardless as to who is in
Office.
Of course many leading Democrats
ask what purpose could Negotiation
Committe serve when the Japanese
have turned down all efforts Of con-
ciliation, unless Manchukuo was recog-
nized.
The real reason of the forming of
this new body, it is stated, is merely to
align all the important nations of the
world in common front against Japan
and to exercise this way moral pres
sure on that country.
Effective Steps Doubtful.
1t is doubtful, according to the latest
reports from Geneva, whether the
League of Nations will consider taking
any effective steps, such as boycott
/ against japan. The machinery of the
League is for the time being too cum
bersome to apply any sanction outside
Europe.
But. if the United States and Rus
sia, the two important nations which
are not members of the League, become
members of a body under the auspices
of that organization, the whole world
would appear united against Japan, and
! it is hoped in optimistic quarters that
this will not fail to make an impression
+ on the japanese people.