EASTERN SITUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1932, Page 5

EASTERN SITUATION

LYTTON REPORT

A TEST CASE FOR THE LEAGUE. (British Offlc'al Wireless.) RUGBY, December 7. Lord Lytton, spe’ak'ng at London, maintained that the emergency with which China and Japan were confronted,. whether it was regarded from the viewpoint of world peace, or from that of their own national interest, was great enough to justify the expectation of a settlement. Th e Manchurian problem, h© said, was a test case of not a§ to whether the League of Nations was an effective instrument, but as to whether the collective responsibility of all nations for the maintenance of peace and justi c e was, or was not, a real security. If the League of Nation s failed to find ,a settlement by agi-eement, then confidence would be still further shaken; but h e believed that the League would survive even, such a failure. If peace could be found, it would be a credit to both countries; and a credit which they could not possibly receive by a tesort to war.

■Sir J. Simon (British Foreign Secretary), and M. Paul Boncour (France) showed that they had mastered the whol e Lytton Report. They stressed that it was an important document, and was not, as has been generally supposed, wholly condemnatory of Japan, but was the making of a measured criticism both of China and Japan. , The sneeche s continued all day. It is hoped that they will be concluded to-night. The ‘Daily Telegraph’s” _ correspondent at Geneva compares Sir John Simon’s speech with that of 'an advocate defending a shady client. The correspondent points out that the speeches showed that _ Britain, Italy and Germany are' definitely on the side of Japan, and that they are opposing any League of Nations* action that would be distasteful to Japan. * France’s position is doubtful (says the correspondent) though YI. Boncour admitted that if conciliation failed the League Assembly would be bound to make recommendations on the lines of the Lytton Commission’s Report.

JAPANjS THREAT TO LEAGUE

(Received _thi« day at 8 a.m.) x GENEVA, December 8

'M. Matsattka declares that Japan would withdraw from the League unless the resolution censuring the Japanese action iil Manchuria was withdrawn.

M. Hymans replied that the resolution demanded consideration and time, and that they would give the matter full disciißcdon.