Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 16 February 1933, page 9


LYTTON REPORT. I

Mr. Matsuoka said that Japan was not in a position to have her recognition of Man-chukuo contentiously discussed. Nevertheless Japan would be able to make the world under

stand the fairness of her position, provided I that ample time was given for an explanation. Japan did not object to the inclusion In the draft resolution of the principles outlined In Chapter 9 of the Lytton report, on the under-standing that they were applied with due re-gard to the actual developments, and remem-bering that the principle of reconciliation in-volved Impartial abstentlon from pre-

judgment.

The Secretary-General of the League (Sir Eric Drummond) acting on the committee's Instructions, replied. He emphasised that the Japanese, in their modified proposals, had accepted the scope of the seventh principle and therefore if a committee of cpnclllation .was appointed, Japan would not be pre-pared to accept as a basis for the committee's work Lord Lytton's recom-mendation that the maintenance of the Re-public of Manchukuo would not solve the problem. Consequently it was regretted that the Japanese proposals of February 8 were unacceptable to the League committee, and discussion of other points would be fruitless.

"The committee feels sure that you realise that aggravation of the situation will in-crease the difficulty, if not frustrate further efforts for conciliation," added Sir Eric Drum-

mond.

The last phrase is interpreted as an allusion to the present Japanese operations in Jehol.

The committee finally approved its report, which, owing to the difficulties of printing, will not be available until Friday.

COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

There are outspoken passages in the report ef the Committee of Nineteen, and the report rivals the Lytton report in size.

It declares: "While Japanese officers in Manchuria on the night of September l8, 1931, might have believed that they were acting in legitimate defence, the Japanese military operations at Mukden and other places can-not be regarded as being in self-defence, any more than Japan's subsequent military measures, which, inspired by political con-siderations, acquired control of all the im-portant towns. Moreover, the adoption of legitimate defence measures does not exempt a country from obligations under Article 12 of the League Covenant, providing for the peace-ful settlement of disputes.

"A group of Japanese civil and military officials planned and carried out in Manchuria »n independence movement as a solution of the situation thus created, using for the purpose the names and activities of certain prominent Chinese and minorities with grievances against the Chinese Government. This move, sup-ported and guided by the general staff, could only bo achieved owing to the presence of Japanese troops, and cannot be considered as ii spontaneous and genuine independence move-

ment."

The report, in dealing with events producing the recent crisis, emphasises that both China end Japan had legitimate grievances. Japan, It states, took advantage of questionable rights, and China obstructed by the exercise of her

undoubted rights.

The Geneva correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says: "The report, which was approved unanimously, proposes that China end Japan shall be given three months in ?which to accept or reject the recommenda-tions. It is hoped that the parties will agree to direct negotiations."

The "Daily Telegraph" French correspon-dent says: "The report insists on the with-drawal of Japanese troops within the South Mnnchurla railway zone, and recommends the establishment of an organisation under the sovereignty of China to deal with conditions In Manchuria, taking due account of the rights and interests of Japan, and the forma-tion of a committee of negotiation for the application of these and other recommenda-

tions."

Tlie Sino-Japanese dispute, the prospects of fighting in Jehol, and the repercussions at Geneva are the leading features of most news-

papers in London.

[Japan's proposals of February 8 consisted chiefly of a request to the committee to In-corporate in the "statement of reasons" a sentence from the Lytton report expressing the opinion that a "satisfactory regime for the future might be evolved from the present one without violent change."]

ASSEMBLY TO MEET. (British Official Wireless.)

The Committee of Nineteen this evening leclded to call an extraordinary meeting of the League Assembly for next Tuesday.