CASE FOR JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 124, 22 November 1932, Page 8

CASE FOR JAPAN

PRESENTED AT GENEVA

PKOPOSALS REJECTED

REPLY TO LYTTON REPORT

TRUTH ABOUT MANCHURIA

United Press Association—By Electric Tel«. graph—CopyrlEht. (Received 22nd November, 2 p.m.) LONDON, 21st November; Following are the principal points of Japan's reply to the Lytton Beport, the dominant feature being a flat rejection of the proposals for the settle* ment of the Sino-Japanese problem:—• (1) China is an abnormal country; in. a condition, bordering on" anarchy.' (2) Foreign lives and \ property; cannot be adequately protected because, of the internal conflict, and also the Kuomintang's "revolutionary", policy against foreign Powers." (3) Foreign Powers have been ob- . liged to exercise exceptional powers and privileges in order to protect •their subjects and interests. (4) Japan has suffered more severely than any other Power from. .China's anarchical condition and anti-foreign policy. (5) Japan's position in Han•churia, geographically and historically, by virtue of treaty rights, economic interests, and the need for her own national security, is exceptional. - (6) The former Manchurian, authorities intrigued to undermine this special position, and .frequently; and flagrantly encroached on Japan'i rights and interests in Manchuria. (7) None of Japan's actions in September, 1931, exceeded her rights of self-defence. . (8) Manchuria has always occupied a separate position in relation to China itself. The foundation of Manchukuo was accomplished by the Manchurians' spontaneous action. (9) A general recognition of .the present regime would contravene no international obligations, would satisfy the Manchurians' aspirations, '_ and would eventually be realised by China herself as the only satisfactory basis.of stable relations. " (10) Disguised international control of Manchuria would be acceptable neither to Japan nor Manchukuo. The Lytton Plan, which requires that each of the parties shall have the sine qua non of strong stable government, would make con-1 fusion _ worse. Japan considers it impossible to demilitarise Manchuria and maintain order, by international gendarmerie. * - ~ REPORT CRITICISED. In addition to the foregoing points Japan states that the report contains many just conclusions "flowing mostly from observed facts, but they are enye-' [loped in a mist of optimism, the glamour of which would1 certainly mislead anyone unaware of the- true facts.'.'

The Commission through the shortness of time available had acquired only a superficial impression-. If'the Commissioners had visited other parts of the country, especially South .China, their optimism regarding the Chinese . situation would have been considerablymodified. Japan casts rio reflection on the conscientious .nature of the report, but feels that the comparative weight of evidence has been wrongly estimated and the report-.used invariable against Japan. This "is particularly noticeable in the section! dealing "with" the incident of 18th September, 1931, and the establishment of the independent State of Manchukuo. -' The reply disclaims any such bitter feelings toward China as certain passages in the report suggest. On th? contrary, Japan looks forward' to *-' friendly, prosperous co-operation with. China, and declares that ■ the'^militaryoperations, from 18th September, 1931' were entailed by the execution of a plan carefully prepared to- meet the alarming eventuality of a Chinese attack. They were.not related to anything but self -defence. "Japan cannot 'allow either their lack of necessity or inappropriateness to be the subject of discussion. Any scheme tending to.,destroy-the condition of peace and orderliness now being restored will irresistibly produce a new era of disputes and difficulties. The settlement of the Manchurian question will pave the way to the settlement of the whole Chinese question." l Considerable animation marked tho opening of the momentous session of the League Council by the chairman, Mr. de Valera.' ' ' •Lord Lytton and the other Commissioners were among the spectators. The speech of the Japanese delegate, Mr. Matsuoka, followed the general lines of the memorandum. He asked the League to outlaw the Chinese boycott proposal. Japan and the Japanese were not hostile to the Chinese. Japan believed that China's main desire was for peace, but the Chinese' were "misled, terrorised, and misrepresented. ""We don 't want war. "We don't want more territory. We are not the aggressors. We desire deeply and earnestly. th» welfare of our great neiughbpurs. Japan cannot consider any alternative in Manchukuo because it would possibly lay the entire' Tar East situation open to serious disorders." CHINA'S REPLY. I>r-. K°o, on behalf of China, said that though Mr. Matsuoka made Japan appear a ; meck lamb in the teeth of a ferocious lion, her traditional policy had been to interfere in Chinese unification, while complaining abroad of a disunited China. Japan's policy had seriously menaced the peace of the Par East and disturbed the remainder, of the world. China was content to learn from-the Council, whether the Kellogg Pact covered the invasion of Manchuria. -.'■■■ ' ■ '

Dr. Koo and Mr. Matsuoka are both American University graduates, and spoke in English throughout.