Evening star., 1933-03-27

GENEVA. March 27 LP.-Japan's
formal notification of withdrawal
from the League of Nations was
communicated today to the League
secretariat.
BY the Associated Press
TOXIC, March 27.-Japan formally
ended today a membership OF more
than 13 years in the League of Nations.
The final action was taken by the
Privy Council, meeting in the Imperial
Palace, and the ng-awaited decision
was transmitted to Geneva with the
APPROVAL of Emperor Hirohito.
A 7oo-word message to the Leagues
headquarters asserted that inability q
unwillingness of League members to
grasp the facts involved in Japan's
controversy with China over Man.
churia resulted in the League As
sembly's report a month ago con-
demning japanese military activities
in that territory. 1t said this report
failed to contribute to the cause Of
peace which it called Japan's primary
objective.
Win Hold Mandates.
The message did not mention the
South Pacific Islands lying Between
the Philippines and Hawaii, former
German possessions over which Japan
was given mandates by the League.
1t was stated officially that Japan is
determined to hold the islands and
will continue to make the required
annual reports to the League Mandates
Commission. If any question il raised
concerning them, 1t will not be by
Japan.
Japan will continue to participate in
the world disarmament. economic and
other League-sponsored meetings, bu:
activity will be only perfunctory be-
cause Of the lack of sympathy shown
spokesman said.
Japan has not only quit the great
body of more than so nations making
up the League, but has cast aside the
greatest recognition 1t ever received
from the Western world by simultane-
ously removing itself from the council
or directing body of the League It was
given a place with the British Empire,
France and Italy rs one of the four
permanent members of the council on
January 10, 1920. Six years later an
other permanent seat was given Ger
many.
Final in Two Years.
The notice of resignation Is in ac-
cordance with paragraph three, article
one, Of the League covenant, providing
amy number of the League may, after
two years notice of its intention so to
do, withdraw from the League, provided
that all its international obligations and
all its obligations under this covenant
shall have been fulfilled at the time Of
its withdrawal.
Thus the League will not recognize
that Japan is no longer member until
1t has paid its dues to this date in 1885.
The privy councils action came five
weeks after the cabinet voted to with
draw if the League adopted the report
on Manchuria which it was then con-
sidering. The report censoring Japan
for its seizure of Chinese territory in
the name OF the state of Manchukuo
and urging nations of the world to re-
fuse recognition to the Manchukuan
government was adopted unanimously
February "a.
Will Work For Peace.
The message today said ''the japanese
government has come to the conclusion
that it can no longer cooperate with
the League" but 1t added that Japan
hopes to continue cooperating with
other nations in world peace move
ments.
This echoed words Of Yosuke Matsu-
Okla, who was Japans special counsel
during the protracted League debate
over Manchuria, when he led the jap
anese delegation out Of the League
Assembly meeting at which the report
was adopted.
BY that action Japan refused to CO.
operate in the Leagues plan for a
Cancellation Committee, including the
United States and Russia, to direct ne
gotiations between Japan and China
for settlement.
Japan's resignation comes as climax
to q dispute which began shortly after
japan seized Mukden, Manchuria, on
September 10, 1881, as a defense
measure" because Japanese-owned rail-
way tracks In that area had been torn
up by alleged Chinese bandits. Since
then japanese forces have battled their
way to all corners Of Manchuria and
have also brought Jehol under the rule
Of Manchukuo.