The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-01-18
SAY JAPS lose
IN DIPLOMACY
Past Years Events May
Be Far Reaching in
Oriental History
By MILES w. VAUGHN
United Press Far Eastern Manager
Copyright, 1888, United Press)

TOXIC, Jan. 18.-(UP).-Ja-
pan, victorious in its Manchurian
military adventures, has been
bested in a series Of diplomatic
maneuvers that may deeply affect
Far Eastern history, many obserV-
ers believed today.
A year ago yesterday it was re-
vealed here that Soviet Russia had
proposed a mutual non-aggression
treaty with Japan. Kaleidoscope
changes in the Far Eastern set-up
nave occurred during those y
months. Troops of Nippon moved
in Manchuria. The Soviets busily
manufactured war m t e q S.
Suave diplomats carried on nego-
tiations that suddenly found Rus
STA and China resuming relations,
and Moscow apparently casting
her influence definitely against ia
pan in the Far East.
Events of the next year may go
far toward proving whether those
Japanese are right who believe
Soviet diplomacy proved superior
to Japanese efforts in the twelve
months of negotiations.
Yesterday the anniversary Of
the news of consideration Of
non-aggression pact, consider
able section of diplomatic opinion
in Japan is that Tokio's rejection
of the Russian proposal may have
changed history to considerable
extent.
Had the Japanese government
of a year ago, headed by Premier
Tsuyoshi Inukai, since s:ssassinat-
ed, accepted the Soviet proposal,
the way might have been opened
for an eventual Russo-Japapese
entente which might have made
possible Japan's great desire-the
eventual recognition of Manchou-
kuo as an independent state by
Moscow as we'll as Toxic.
What occurred in the secret
diplomatic conversations that took
place before Japan rejected the
Russian proposal may never be-
known. Recent events indicate
Japan was aware of what Josef
Stain recently revealed - that
Russia was quietly engaged in
large-scale manufacture of war
materials.
On January 16, 1882, the indie
pendence of the Manchurian state
had not been proclaimed. Japan,
consequently, had not faced the
problem of recognizing it.
The Japanese government, how
ever. undoubtedly had known for
some time that such independence
would be proclaimed. The govern
ment must have known that Japan
would have to recognize the indie
pendence of the new state.
Kenkichi YoshiZawa, then for
eign minister, had / Zen appointed
by Premier Inukai, his father-in-
law. and had passed through Mos
cow en- route to Toxic earlier in
the year. His delay in the Soviet
capital was no accident. 1t was
during his conversations with the
Soviet foreign commisar, Maxim
Litvinoff. according to foreign Of
fee reports here, that the Rus
slams made their bid for non
aggression treaty.
Moscow evidently had decided
on the move long in advance. But
Japan at that time was not espe-
cially interested in non-aggression
treaties. What she wanted was a
much stronger entente with some
power.
Both nations apparently left
the road open for future neg-tia-
tions, but abruptly, it was report
ed in November that w. w. Yen
had approached Litvinoff regard
ing a renewal of Russo-Chinese
relations.
There was every indication To-
kio believed such negotiations had
been dropped. Japan was amazed
at the news that a Russo-Chinese
accord had been definitely reach
ed. 1t meant to most Japanese
students of international relations
that Moscow had definitely aligned