First Test of Pact

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 836, 3 December 1929, Page 9

First Test of Pact

WORD TO CHINA AND SOVIET

Called on to Keep Peace

BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES ACT

British Official Wireless Received 11.45 a.m. RUGBY. Monday. FOR the tirst time since it was signed, action arising out o£ the Kellogg war-outlawry pact has been taken. The British Government has co-operated with the i nited States Government in the issue oL' a joint representation to the Chinese and Soviet Governments, in regard to the situation in Manchuria, calling the attention of those Governments to their obligations under tlie pact.

The memorandum, which has been communicated to the National Government of China and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, by his Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, has been issued for publication, and is in the following terms:

“His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom has observed with apprehension and concern the course of events between China and the Soviet Union, with reference to the situation in Northern Manchuria siuce July. “The United States Government took steps in July, through conversations in Washington, to see that the attention of the Chinese and Soviet Governments was called tq the provisions of the treaty for the renunciation of war, to which both China and the Soviet Union were signatories. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom associated itself with that step. Both the Soviet and Chinese Governments then gave formal and public assurances that neither would resort to war unless attacked. The treaty has now been ratified by no fewer than 55 Powers, including China and the Soviet Union. “His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom associates itself with the action which the United States Government is now taking, to call attention to the provisions of the treaty for the renunciation of war, particularly to Article 2, which reads: ‘The high contracting parties agree that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts, of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be. which may arise among them, shall never be sought except by pacific means.’ and to express the earnest hope that China and the Soviet Union will refrain or desist from measures of hostility, and will find it possible in the near future to come to an agreement between themselves upon a method for resolving, by peaceful means, the issues over which they are at present in controversy. SACRED PROMISES “His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom feels that the respect with which China and the Soviet Union will hereafter be held in the good opinion of the will of the world will necessarily, in a great measure,

depend upon the way in which they carry out these sacred promises.” The action taken by the British Government was announced in the House of Commons today by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Arthur Henderson, to whom several questions bearing upon the Chinese situation were addressed. The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs has informed his Majesty's Minister that now that Chinese territory has been occupied, he feels the matter must go to the League of Nations. ARMISTICE ARRANGED In reply to further questions, Mr. Henderson said: “There appears to be reason for believing that an armistice has been arranged. According to a telegram from his Majesty’s Consul-General at Mukden, the Mukden authorities sent to Moscow on November 2S a telegram accepting the Soviet terms for reopening the negotiations. The Chinese negotiators left Harbin on November 30 for Hagarovsk. As far as I know, neither the Chinese nor the Soviet Government has informed any other Government that it considers itself at war with the other.” NO APPEAL TO LEAGUE In reply to a question whether the Chinese Government had made an appeal to the League of Nations, he said:—“To the best of my belief, the Chinese Government lias taken no definite steps to bring the dispute before the League of Nations: but on November 28, the Chinese Minister informed me that his Government contemplated such an appeal, and asked my views. I pointed out the difficulty that arose owing to the Soviet Union not being a member of the League. Twelve bombs were dropped by Soviet airplanes on the Pokotm station. These attacks were continued on November 29. In reports on military operations in Manchuria which I have received, mention is made of heavy losses; but I have not the figures of the casualties on either side, nor have I any confirmation of the Press reports of a massacre of Chinese miners at Chalainor.”