MANCHURIA.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20497, 16 March 1932, Page 11

MANCHURIA.

THE NEW STATE. REQUEST FOR DIPLOMATIC RECOGNITION. AMERICA TO IGNORE PETITION. i'SISS ASSOCIATION—£I ELECTBIO TfILECKAPH COPIBIOHT.) (Received March 15tli, 8.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 14. The new Manchurian State created under Japan's auspices with Mr Henry Puvi as "Dictator" has formally petitioned the State Department for diplomatic recognition. The Secretary of State, Mr H. L. Stimson, declines to publish tho petition, which came in tho form of a cablegram from Mr Haish Ghieh Shih, and signed, "Minister for Foreign Affairs, State of Manchuria." Mr Stimson indicated that ho would completely ignore the request, in view of the identic notes sent on July 7th last to Japan and China, emphasising that America would not recognise tho legality of any do facto situation arising from the Japanese occupation of Manchuria.

BRITISH ATTITUDE. LONDON. March 14. Answering a question in the House of Commons, Sir John Simon (Foreign Minister) said on present information it would bo premature to recognise the recent installation of the President ot the Republic of Manchuria. Lord Winterton (Conservative): ' n view of our important trade connexion in Manchuria, what steps are being taken to safeguard it. if we are not prepared to recognise the only Government in existence P Sir John Simon: I said nothing about not being prepared to recognise it. But the present would be premature.

The United States, he added, was in close accord with Great Britain on the subject.

CHINA AND LEAGUE. RESOLUTION ACCEPTED. (Kecoived March 16th, 12.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 15. It is anticipated that by the weekend three-seventh* of the Japanese forces stationed in the Shanghai area will havo roturncd to Japan. Reports from Loyang state that the Szochucneso troops are massing gradually and moving eastward. Their purpose is unknown, but it is believed to indicate the possibility of a civil -war in that area. Tho Nanking Foreign Office has announced that the Chinese delegate to Genova has been instructed formally to inform the League of China's acceptance of tho League's resolution, but to insist that a settlement of the Chinese-Jap-anese disputo cannot be made under military pressure; further, China is unable to assume responsibility for tho state of affairs in Shanghai and also in Manchuria. China regards the League resolution as including the puppet Government of Manchuria, which infringes tho territorial and political integrity of China. The League Commission, which arrived yesterday, has embarked on a programme of lavish entertainment.

ENQUIRY BY LEAGUE COMMISSION. SHANGHAI, March 14. The League Commission to investigate the Manehurian situation has reached here,-headed by Lord Lytton. The commission is expected t» proceed to Nanking shortly to secure contact with the Chinese Government. If the situation becomes worse the commission might stay there and begin work immediately to effect a settlement in the local dispute. Manchuria would then be included in the scope of the investigation. The new so-called self-determined State of Manchuria is suffering many tribulations. The risings are specially severe at Taiheiho, and many Japanese and r.ew Chinese officials have fled across the Soviet border, seeking protection.

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY. REVIEW OF SERVICE. IBItITISB OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, March 14. In the House of Commons Sir Jolin Simon (Foreign Seoretary) reviewed the proceedings at Geneva in reference to the Chinese-Japanese dispute, and paid a tribute to the skilful and authoritative chairmanship of Mr Paul Hymans (Belgium) at the League Assembly. He expressed pleasure that the final resolution was adopted by the Assembly without dissent. The resolution referred not only to the obligar in the League Covenant, hut also to the Paris Pact, Rnd the United States Government had since communicated officially to the League Secretary-General (Sir Eric Drummond) its satisfaction and approval While the Assembly remains constitutionally in session, and .is likely to meet again not later than May Ist, it had completed the first stage of its work, _ and Sir John Simon expressed the view that there was ground- for satisfaction in the unanimity of its conclusions. The Assembly resolutions of March 4th and March 11th would be circulated as White Papers. JAPANESE TROOPS WITHDRAW. TOKYO, March 14. The 11th Division was to-day ordered to return from Shanghai.