The Guardian And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1931. JAPAN AND CHINA.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1931. JAPAN AND CHINA.

The situation in Manchuria continues j tense, for it is as disquieting as m the earlier stages. be lore the League jof Nations intervened. The - interven- ! tio-ii had the effect at least. 0 f holdring the possible combatants apart, but -some overt acts possibly by jrre»i ponsible forces in the remote front, j were excuse enough for the conniat ito blaze up again momentarily, and • the situation seems to remain as , difficult as ever, despite the pledges l of the respective Nations to t*:e League/ Japan is better equipped and better organised than her neignbour, and in the event of hostilities .would be able to inflict stunning blows on the enemy, for China is torn asunder by rival parties. Japan has Detained a footing in Mafichuria and is establishing herself there securing an urgently necessary outlet for her overflowing population. There is some right for her to be in Manchuria, and a section of the British press are professing a definite loaning towards “Japan’® rights.” Alt the same time the ©alulae 'of the dispute, and the right of Japan to take' retaliatory measures off her own bat, is but little known. Manchuria is a part of China, and that nation has the right to bio heard. Representatives of ,some of the principal Powers have gone to Manchuria to learn the facts, but there i.s nothing official yet forth coming. It wais expected that tire League of Nations had laid the possibility of a war, but at the moment there is all the chance of that view being contradicted by affairs in Manchuria. China does npt admit the right of Japan to dominate the position in Manchuria, naturally, and it would he a very difficult task tf> cheek the invading forces in the circumstances. But it is to be hoped a war will be avoided as if- is difficult to hedge its possibilities with other nations. Russia would no doubt watch the position closely and may elect to enter the fray at a moment to suit her aspirations. Really the potency of the League of Nations is on i.ts trial to a. great extent to prevent a conflict. If Japan has real grievances the League should be able to settle the differences in a bloodless way. If Japan on the other hand ignores the covenant of the League there will be a serious blow against international arbitration as an alternative to war. Japgn has the means for the master move, because of the military power possessed, but 'by resorting to arms instead of the machinery of the League, a step is taken which may ; precipitate serious con,sequence in other directions. There is much mystery about the official Japanese view, and the Powers will be anxious for an early expression so as to indicate how far the League pact is to be observed. The situation is therefore of great international moment, and the outcome will be vvntched closely. Naturally in Manchuria there lias been a considerable amount of loose rule, because of the brigandage which is often rampant, and from which probably aros e the bxcuo for Japan’s overt acts. But that is not reason enough for the outbreak of a war, and redress could be obtained by Japan radical measures. The League has a cumbersome procedure apparently, but, it should have potency enough to right the delicate situation without resort to a war which might carry very iserious consequences in its train.