AT GENEVA

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1932, Page 6

AT GENEVA

CHINA CITES LEACUE COVENANTS.

JAPAN PLEADS SELF-DEFENCE.

[United Presß Association, —By Electrio

Telegraph.—Copyright. I

GENEVA, Jam 29.

There was a tense atmosphere at the meeting of the League of Nations’ Council to-day, the members realising that the League is facing one of the most difficult crisis in all its history. This tensity was increased by the Japanese delegate, Viscount Sato s declaration that “possibly the world’s peace might be compromised by .the events at Shanghai.” There was a crowded, Council, and they listened in deep silence to the Chinese delegate, Dr. Yet, and the Japanese delegate, Viscount Sato, stat. ing tlie cases for their countries. Dr Yen declared that Japan’s action had directly violated the League Pact, thus necessitating China’s invocation of the Articles Ten and fifteen of the League Covenant. He said China now invoked both ot those articles.

Mr Yen read a telegram denouncing the Japanese aggression, for which, he addecl, Japan must bear the full responsibility. Viscount Sato said that while regretting that the developments had not permitted the liquidation of the Chino Japanese dispute Japan was not wholly at fault. Mr Yen’s telegram had asserted that the Japanese sailors had attacked without being provoked. Oil the contrary, he said, his telegrams, i equally official, showed how an antii Japanese menace had repeadedly grown. This had resulted in the land, ing of the Japanese Marines at Shanghai to .protect the Japanese there on the advice of the commander of the foreign naval forces. He said that Chinese regulars bail attacked Japanese Marines, and also the Japanese headquarters, which were forced to act as they did in self-defence. He added that China’s invocation of the Articles of the League Covenant had made worse an already delicate and dangerous situation, and had increased the difficulties in the way of a settlement. Viscount Sato quoted legal arguments to show why the Council should postpone consideration of the Chinese demand for an examination of the Sino-Japanese dispute under the Articles of the Covenant. These arguments were countered by others put forward by the Chairman, who was supported by every member of the Council. The Secretary-General was instructed to propose at to-morrow’s meeting the best means of obtaining reliable news regarding events in Shanghai, and it is generally believed that this will) "talce'the form of the immediate appointment of a Commission of Inquiiy to examine the situation on the spot, M. Boncour requested the Japanese and Chinese delegates to telegraph their Governments an expression of the painful impression caused at Geneva, and urging them to take all possible steps to prevent further loss ol ' life and the commission of any act which might be irreparable. Hie delegates were asked to add that the Council had the matter in hand and would not rise until it was settled. LEAGUE INQUIRY ORDERED. GENEVA, Jan. 30. The League of Nations Council lias accented the retiring Secretary, Sir Eric Drummond’s proposal, to appoint a commission composed of the representatives of the League members at Shanghai, to investigate the events there, and report to the League.