LEAGUE OF NATIONSOfficial Journal

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT No. 102

RECORDSOF THE

SPECIAL SESSIONOF THE

A SSEMBLYconvened in virtue of Article 15 of the Covenant

at the Request of the Chinese Government.

VOLUME II

AGENDA

I. Appeal of the Chinese Government.II. Entry of the Turkish Republic into the League of Nations.

III. Adjournment of the Thirteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly.

GENEVA, 1932

CONTENTS

Page Page

NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF Entry of the Turkish Republic intoTHE LEAGUE OF NATIONS . . 7 the League of Nations:

LIST OF MEERS OF THE DELEGATIN Adoption of the Draft ResolutionAND COMEMPOBSITION OTHE D ELEGAT proposed by the Delegations of

AND COPOSITIO OF THE BEAU Albania, Australia, Austria,OF THE SPECIAL ASSEMBLY . . .. 8 United Kingdom, Bulgaria,United Kingdom, Bulgaria,Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslo-

SIXTH PLENARY MEETING, July 1st, vakia, Denmark, Estonia, Fin-1932, at 5 p.m.: land, France, Germany,

Greece, Guatemala, Hungary,Entry of the Turkish Republic intoItaly, JapanLat a, Hungary,the League of Nations Lavia, ether-the League of Nato lands, New Zealand, Panama,Draft Resolution proposed by the Persia, Poland, Roumania,

Delegations of Albania, Aus- Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,tralia, Austria, United King- Yugoslavia. ...... . 17dom, Bulgaria, Colombia, Cuba,Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Es-tonia, :Finland, France, Ger- EIGHTH PLENARY MEETING, July 18th,many, Greece, Guatemala, 1932, at 3.30 p.m.:Hungary, Italy, Japan, Lat- Entry of the Turkish Republic intovia, Netherlands, New Zea- the League of Nations:land, Panama, Persia, Poland,Roumania, Spain, Sweden, Draft Resolution proposed bySwitzerland, Yugoslavia .... 9 the Bureau ........ 21

Appeal of the CGhinese Government: Verification of the Credentials ofthe Members of the Turkish Dele-

Proposal regarding the Extension gation :of the Time Limit provided forin Article 12, paragraph 2, of Ceport of the Committee onthe Covenant of the League ofredential 22Nations ...... ..... 10 Welcome to the Turkish Delega-

tion . . . . . . . . . . . . 23SEVENTH PLENARY MEETING, July 6th,

1932, at 10 a.m.: Postponement of the ThirteenthOrdinary Session of the Assem-

Welcome to Mr. Kellogg .... 17 bly:

Representation of Hungary at the Draft Resolution proposed by theAssembly . ......... 7 Bureau .......... 24

LIST OF ANNEXES

Page Page

I. General Situation in the Shanghai V. Memorandum, dated May 4th,Area: 1932, from the Chinese Dele-

gation concerning the Prelimi-1. Letter, dated May 6th, nary Report of the Commission

1932, from the Chinese of Enquiry appointed by theDelegation to the Secre- Council in its Resolution oftary-General of the December 10th, 1931 . . . . 33League of Nations . . . 26

2. Letter, dated May 8th, VI. Report, dated May 11th, 1932,1932, from the Japanese presented to the Special As-Delegation to the Secre- sembly by the Committee of

tary-General of the Nineteen in Execution of Para-

League of Nations . . . 26 graph 7 (Part III) of theAssembly Resolution of March11th, 1932'

II. Cessation of Hostilities in the th, 1Shanghai Area : Note by the Secretary-

General of the League1. Letter, dated May 5th, of Nations . . . . . . 34

1932, from the JapaneseDelegation notifying the VII. Extension of the Time LimitConclusion, on May 5th, prescribed in Article 12, Para-1932, of the Sino-Japa- graph 2, of the Covenant ofnese Military Agreement the League of Nations:concerning the Definitive 1. Letter, dated June 24th,Cessation of Hostilities at 1 932, from the PresidentShanghai ....... 27 of the Assembly to the

2. Text of the Agreement con- Representatives of Chinacerning the Definitive and Japan ...... 35Cessation of Hostilities at 2. Reply, dated June 25th,Shanghai, concluded on 1932, from the Repre-May 5th, 1932 .. .. 27 sentative of Japan to the

Letter from the President

III. Withdrawal of the Japanese of the Assembly, datedTroops to the International June 24th, 1932 .... 36Settlement and the Extra-Set- 3. Reply, dated June 26thtlement Roads in the Hongkew 1932, from the Repre-District : sentative of China to the

1. Letter, dated May 8th, Letter from the Presidentof the Assembly, dated

1932, from the Japanese e Assembly, daDelegation to the Secre- June 24th 1932 . . 36tary-General of thetary-General of thetions 29 VIII. Letter, dated August 30th, 1932,League of Nations . . . 29 f t ChneeRelegation,from the Chinese Delegation,

2. Telegram, dated May 13th, communicating the Text of a1932, received by the Speech delivered at a Memo-Japanese Delegation . 29 rial Service on August 29th,

3. Letter, dated June st 1932, by Dr. Lo Wen-kan,1932, from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. 37

1932, from the Japanese

Delegation to the Secre- IX. Correspondence relating to thetary-General of thetary-General of the Movements and Work of theLeague of Nations . . . 29 Commission of Enquiry ap-Commission of Enquiry ap-

4. Letter, dated June 15th, pointed by the Council of the1932, from the Japanese League in its Resolution ofDelegation to the Secre- December 10th, 1931:tary-General of the 1. Letter, dated May 9th,League of Nations . . . 30 1932, from the Chinese

Delegation transmittingIV. Preliminary Report, dated April Information regarding

30th, 1932, from the Corn- Certain Measures allegedmission of Enquiry appointed to have been taken vis-by the Council of the League a-vis the Chinese Asses-in its Resolution of December sor on the Commission10th, 1931 . ....... 30 of Enquiry . . . . .. 39

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Page Page

2. Letter, dated May 13th, C. Situation in Manchuria re-1932, from the Chinese suiting from the passingDelegation to the Secre- by the Japanese Diet oftary-General of the a Resolution recognisingLeague of Nations . . . 39 the " Manchukuo ":

3. Telegram, dated June 14th, Letter, dated June 23rd,1932, from the Commis- 1932, from the Chinesesion of Enquiry notifying Delegation to the Pre-its Arrival at Peiping and sident of the Specialgiving Information re- Assembly ...... 45garding the Preparationof its Eeport . .... . 40 D. Seizure of the Chinese Go-

vernment Postal Service in4. Telegram, dated June 25th, Manchuria:

1932, from the Commis- Communications from thesion of Enquiry notifying Chinese Delegation 45its Departure for Japan on June 28th, 1932 . . . 40 E. Appointment of a Japanese

Ambassador Extraordinaryand Plenipotentiary on Spe-

X. General Situation in Manchuria: cial Mission in Manchuria:

A. Military Situation 'A. Military Situation: 1. Letter, dated July 27th,1932, from the Chinese

Communications from the Delegation to the Secre-Chinese Delegation . . 40 tary-General of the

League of Nations . . . 46B. Brigandage and Disorder in 2. dat

Manchuria : 2. Letter, datedAugustllth,1932, from the Japanese

Summary of Official Tele- Delegation to the Secre-grams received by the tary-General of theJapanese Delegation . 44 League of Nations. . . 47

NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

On February 19th, 1932, at the request of the Chinese Government, theCouncil of the League referred the Sino-Japanese dispute to a special sessionof the Assembly, of which the first meeting was held on March 3rd, 1932.

The records of the discussions which took place in March and April inthe Assembly, in the General Commission which it constituted at its secondmeeting on March 3rd, and in the Special Committee of nineteen membersconstituted at its fourth meeting on March 11th, 1932, have been publishedin the Official Journal (see Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I).

The present volume (Volume II) of the same Special Supplement containsthe record of the later discussions relating to the Appeal of the Chinese Govern-ment, and which dealt with the question of the extension of the time limitprovided for in Article 12, paragraph 2, of the Covenant.

The Assembly also dealt, during this Special Session, with two otherquestions:

I. Entry of the Turkish Republic into the League of Nations.II. Postponement of the Thirteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly.

LIST OF MEMBERS

OF THE DELEGATIONS AND COMPOSITION

OF THE BUREAU OF THE SPECIAL ASSEMBLY

The delegations present at the sixth, seventh and eighth meetings of the SpecialAssembly held in July 1932 were composed of the same members as those present at theearlier meetings (see Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I,pages 11 to 16), with the following exceptions:

GERMANY.

His Excellency M. von Neurath (Minister for Foreign Affairs).

Baron von Weizsacker (Minister Plenipotentiary).Dr. Otto Gbppert (Minister Plenipotentiary).

HUNGARY.

His Excellency M. Constantin de Masirevich (Envoy Extraordinary and MinisterPlenipotentiary at Prague).

NORWAY.

Dr. Christian L. Lange (Secretary-General of the Interparliamentary Union).

TURKEY.

At the eighth meeting of the Special Assembly, held on July 18th, 1932, Turkey wasrepresented by the following delegates:

His Excellency Cemal Hiisnii Bey (Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiaryat Berne).

Necmettin Sadik Bey (Member of the Grand National Assembly).

The Bureau of the Assembly remained as constituted on March 3rd, 1932 (see OfficialJournal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, page 17).

SALLE DU CONSEIL GENERAL - GENEVA

TEXT OF THE DEBATES

SIXTH PLENARY MEETING

Friday, July 1st, 1932, at 5 p.m.

CONTENTS: conformity with the League spirit, he couldENTRY OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC INTO THE LEAGUE give an assurance that the Turkish Republic

OF NATIONS. would have no difficulty in joining the commonDraft Resolution proposed by the Delegations of cause.

Albania, Australia, Austria, the United Kingdom, "In making the above observations, TevfikBulgaria, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Rxustu Bey had, he thought, replied to theEstonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guate- kindly invitation which M. de Madariaga,mala, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, delegate of the Spanish Republic, had made aNew Zealand, Panama, Persia, Poland, Roumania, month ago and in which the Turkish delegate hadSpain, Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. noticed a sincere and cordial personal allusion

APPEAL OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. to a very friendly conversation which he hadProposal regarding the Extension of the Time Limit had with the Spanish representative the day

provided for in Article 12, Paragraph 2, of the before the latter had delivered his speech."Covenant of the League of Nations.

I was, I will confess, somewhat surprised by thePresident: M. HYMANS. importance attached by the Turkish delegate to

ENTIRY 4OF TTHE TURK^TTIS~HT REPTfUBLITC INTO my humble effort, for I never imagined that theNTRY OF THEU ISH RELIC INTOSpanish delegation possessed sufficient authority

THE LEAGUE OrF NATIPONS : DRAFT to invite anyone to enter the League. I am,RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY THE however, happy to be able to say to-day that thisDELEGATIONS OF ALBANIA, AUSTRALIA, invitation to Turkey - not to enter the League,AUSTRIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, but to give sympathetic consideration to theBULGARIA, COLOMBIA, CUBA, CZECHO- suggestion-has been welcomed by many other-SLOVAKIA, DENMIARK, ESTONIA, FINLAND, delegations. I am authorised to read to theFRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, GUATE- Assembly the following text:MALA, HUNGARY, ITALY, JAPAN, LATVIA, "The delegations of Albania,Australia, Austria,NETHERLANDS, NEWZEALAND, PANAMA, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Colombia, Cuba,PERSIA, POLAND, ROUMANIA, SPAIN, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND AND France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary,YUGOSLAVIA. Italy, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand,

Panama, Persia, Poland, Roumania, Spain,The President: Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia,Translation: M. de Madariaga, delegate of Recognising that the Turkish Republic fulfils

Spain, has asked to address the Assembly. the general conditions laid down in Article 1of the Covenant for a State to become a Member

M. de Madariaga (Spain): of the League of Nations:"Propose to the Assembly that the TurkishTranslation: I should like to thank the President Republic should be invited to enter the League

for allowing me to speak at the beginning of this of Nations and give it the benefit of its valuablemeeting on a question which is not on the agenda. co-operation "At the meeting of the General Commission of

the Disarmament Conference on April 13th, 1932,the Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic I am sure I am voicing the opinion of the entiremade a statement as follows : Assembly when I express the hope that this invi-

tation will meet very soon with the reception we" If he was not misunderstood, and if Turkey's all desire. There is, at this time, a tendency

policy, as he had just described it, was in in many quarters to assume that the crisis through

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which we are passing affects the future of the always been regarded as a centre of discord andLeague as well. That fear I have never felt. My unrest. Greece, I am proud to be able to say,fellow-countrymen of Republican Spain are all, has taken an equal share in this beneficent work.like myself, so imbued with the conviction that Had anyone, a few years ago, come here andthe League represents an indispensable stage in predicted that Greece and Turkey would one daythe development of mankind towards greater order, join hands and march in close union towards agreater justice and greater lucidity in international common ideal, he would probably have beenrelations, that they have never felt alarm for the received with a sceptical smile and looked on asLeague's future. It is, however, well that even a visionary who had allowed himself to be carriedthe strongest faith should be upheld by facts. away by his prophetic fervour.We can to-day contemplate the early entry - it Let us hope that we shall soon witness otheris sufficiently certain to warrant our speaking achievements of the same sort which but a littleof it in this manner - of a nation which is neither time ago would have appeared hopelessly imprac-strictly European nor strictly non-European, of ticable and still seem difficult of attainment, buta people that is rather a Mediterranean people, which may finally be brought about by firm andfor the seas unite more than they divide, resolute determination.

I will venture to express the hope that Turkey's If I may deal with a more practical matter forimpending entry into the League may banish for a moment, I should like to point out that theever from men's minds the idea that the League naval agreement concluded between Greece andis passing through any kind of crisis. It is pre- Turkey signifies the achievement to a large extentcisely because the world is passing through a crisis by those two countries of the aims which thethat the League has need of added strength. Disarmament Conference is attempting to realise

by its present arduous work.Such are the reasons for which the Greek delega-

The President: tion welcomes with particular satisfaction Turkey's

Translation : M. Michalakopoulos, Greek Minister entry into the League, and I personally amextremely happy at the prospect that we shallfor Foreign Affairs, who is obliged to leave Geneva extremely happy at te prospect that we shalvery shortly and will be unable to attend the soon have the pleasure of seeing amoT g us mremainder of the Assembly's proceedings or to follow the further developments in the procedure with regard to the question just raised, has asked The President:to speak so that he may second the Spanish raatio: The proposal put before us bydelegate's proposal immediately. In view of the Translation The proposal put before us bly'scircumstances I have mentioned, I will authorisethe Spanish delegate is not on the A sembly'

him o address you now as an exceptional measure. agenda and therefore the first question to be settledhim to address you now as an exceptional measure. is whether the Assembly agreesto place it on theis whether the Assembly agrees to place it on theagenda. It can do so under Rule 4, paragraph 4,

M. Michalakopoulos (Greece): of its Rules of Procedure, which reads:"The Assembly may in exceptional circum-

Translation: I wish first to thank the Presidente ssn eet na very sincerely for the special kindness with which stances place additional tems on the agenda.he has received my request. If there is no objection, I shall take it that the

I should like to add to the eloquent words spoken Assembly agrees to place this question on its agenda.by the distinguished representative of the Spanish his was agreedRepublic a few remarks to express the immensesatisfaction I feel at the close association in the The President:League's high ideals of the three youngest republicsin Europe, and indeed in the world: Spain, Turkey Trandslation: The Assembly will be convenedand Greece, for - I am happy to record the fact later to decide on the subsequent action to be takenhere in public- while Spain has contributed in regarding this proposal.the manner we all know to the achievement ofthe ideals of peace and international collaboration,and while Greece has for her part, and to the humble APPEAL OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT:extent to which her powers allow her, given proof PROPOSAL REGARDING THE EXTENSIONof her deep devotion to the principles governing OF THE TIME LIMIT PROVIDED FOR INthe League, the new Turkey, even though she was ARTICLE 12, PARAGRAPH 2, OF THEnot yet a Member of the League, has already COVENANT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.testified on various occasions to her resolve to takepart in the common effort to achieve the lofty The President:aims which we all have before us. Translation: Since the Assembly's last meeting,

The new Turkey did not withhold her collabo- onApril30th,lthere hasbeen a considerableimprove-ration in the Preparatory Commission of the ment in the position at Shanghai from a militaryDisarmament Conference or in the Conference standpoint. The military agreement concerningitself; she has taken an active part in the proceed- the definitive cessation of hostilities was concludedings of the Commission of Enquiry for European on May 5th. 2 It came into force the same day andUnion. She has given constant evidence of a the withdrawal of the Japanese land forces whichsincere desire to work for peace. She has thus had been sent to Shanghai began on May 6th.amply deserved the honour now done her of being All those forces had re-embarked by May 31st. 3

invited to take the place that is due to her among Naval landing forces with a much reduced strengththe nations closely united together to ensure a are still temporarily stationed, in accordance withbetter future for mankind. the agreement, in a small number of localities

By the desire she has shown to dispel the age-long adjacent to the International Settlement and thehostility that divided our two peoples, and by the extra-Settlement roads. It can be said that theloyalty with which she has substituted for it afriendship unbroken by any cloud, Turkey has 1 See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101,rendered a conspicuous service to Europe and the Volume I, page 96.world; she has assisted single-heartedly in the 2 See Annex II, Communication No. 2.pacification of a corner of the earth which has 3 See Annex III, Communication No. 3.

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execution of the agreement of May 5th has gone parties, which is the first step prescribed by theforward normally with the assistance of the Joint Covenant.Commission, which includes neutral members. It therefore appeared necessary to contemplate

In regard to Manchuria, the Council has for- extending the period of six months, but it onlywarded to the Assembly the preliminary report seemed possible to do so provided the partiessent to it by the Commission of Enquiry at the end agreed and the Assembly so decided.of April.'

The Manchurian question, however, cannot be The Committee of Nineteen therefore authorisedThe Machurian quesion, however, cannot be me to ask the representatives of the parties, instudied with advantage until the Commission of t rate of the arte view of the great importance of the matter bothEnquiry, commonly called the Lytton Commission, v I t ge ipotnc of the matter bothEnquiry, commonly calle d the Lytton Commission, to them and to us all, to agree that the time limit

has sent its final report to Geneva. The question ad don n rtile 12 should be prolonged te litof the date on which this final report may arrive e ta might be strictly ne ar to eneraises a difficulty on which I have consulted the he Comision's report to be sent to enevabSpecial Committee of the Assembly and which, e e Comu ncil, communicate to enewith that Committee's approval, I now submit to Assembl with any observations the Council maythe Assembly itself Assembly with any observations the Council may

The Asquestion which I have tobtself have to make and then examined by the AssemblyThe question which I have to bring to your itself.attention is as follows:

There would be difficulty, it was thought, inIn the resolution adopted by the Assembly on deciding immediately up to what date the time

March 11th,2 the Special Committee was requested limit of six months should be prolonged. It was"to propose any urgent measure which may appear plain that a better-informed decision on this pointnecessary ". could be taken when the report of the Commission

When the Lytton Commission announced that it of Enquiry had reached Geneva and it had beenhoped to submit its report in Geneva by about the possible to gauge the time required to examine it.middle of September at the latest, it became All it seemed possible to say for the moment wasnecessary to study the situation thus created and that, after receiving the report of the Commissionto contemplate extending the time limit laid down of Enquiry, the Assembly, on the proposal of itsin the Covenant. The last paragraph of Article 15 Committee, would fix the duration of the extension.stipulates that, " in any case referred to the Assem- Obviously the Assembly will make its examinationbly, all the provisions of this article and of Article with all the necessary dispatch, and its Committee12 relating to the action and powers of the Council expects to be in a position to begin its study of theshall apply to the action and powers of the Commission's report before November 1st.Assembly ". Article 12, paragraph 2, says that Such is the substance of the proposal which the" the report of the Council shall be made within Committee of Nineteen has authorised its Presidentsix months after the submission of the dispute ". to make, first to the parties and then to the

Taking these two texts together, the Assembly Assembly. The actual text of this proposal, whichhas six months from the day on which the dispute I shall shortly submit to the Assembly for itswas submitted to it in which to prepare its report. approval, is contained in the letter I addressedAs the dispute was submitted to it in the Council to the representatives of China and Japan onresolution of February 19th, 3 the said period expires June 24th, and which has been communicatedon August 19th. to you together with their replies. 1

The Committee of Nineteen considered it desir- One point must be stressed. Obviously thisable to propose an extension of this time limit. extension of the time limit prescribed in Article 12

The Assembly must, of course, be in possession must not constitute a precedent. This measureof all the information which the Lytton Commission ca only be explained by the special circumstancesis still collecting for the Council, and which the with which we are facedlatter will certainly transmit to the Assembly withany observations it may have to make. It has The dispute had been before the Assembly whenany observations it may have to make. It has the Council, to which it had first been submittedalready communicated to it the preliminary report e C cil o which it had fist en submitedunder Article 11 of the Covenant, had sent thewhich the Commission sent at the end of April.

According to the information received from the Lytton Commission to the Far East with very wideCommission, the latter is very desirous of concluding terms of reference for the purpose of caringout avery difficult enquiry. The Commission had alreadyits work as rapidly as possible, but it feels that it vey dfflt en . The Commission had alreadystill requires several weeks to prepare and adopt left when the dispute was submitted to the Assem-its report. It has stated that it hopes to be in a bly. The latter could not isreard so importantposition to submit it by about the middle of Sep- asource of information, and had itself, moreover,in its resolution of March 11th,2 asked the Counciltember at the latest. Even should it be possible it resolution of March llthas d the Councilto expedite its preparation and shorten the period communicate to it te reports of the Commissionindicated by three or four weeks, the time limit gther h any observations it might thinklaid down in Article 12 will nevertheless have eexpired or be on the point of expiring by the time I would remind you that in this same resolutionthe report reaches Geneva. of March 11th the Assembly adopted the principles

Moreover, after the report has been received, it laid down by the Acting President of the Council,must be translated, printed and distributed to the M.Briand, in his declaration of December lth, 1931.SMembers of the Council and of the Assembly. The In this declaration, M. Briand emphasised theCouncil, to which it will be addressed, and the importance of the sending of a Commission ofMembers of the Assembly must have time to Enquiry to the spot which would enable theexamine it carefully. When the Council has com- endeavours to bring about a settlement to bemunicated the document to the Assembly with any continued " with due regard to all the factors ofobservations it may have to make, the Assembly a problem the solution of which was renderedwill still need time to endeavour to prepare a particularly difficult by the inadequacy of oursettlement of the dispute with the help of the information as to what was taking place in these

1 See Annex IV. 1 See Annex VII.2l Supplement No. 101, 2See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101,

Volume I, page 88. Volume I, page 88.3 See Official Journal, March 1932 (Part I), page 371. See Official Journal, December 1931, page 2375.

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distant lands ". He pointed out that the "very therefore, the precedents to be created have aspecial character" of this problem was mainly special importance of their own.due to "the exceptional nature of the treaty or Let me start with what must first preoccupycustomary relations existing in normal times the mind of the Assembly-namely, the strictlybetween the two countries ". constitutional aspect of the matter. It is plainly

M. Briand's observations appear to afford laid down in the Covenant that the report whichsufficient grounds to warrant the extension of the the Assembly has to make on this dispute shalltime limit of six months in the present instance, be made within six months from its submission.and also the statement that the extension, which Why does the Covenant contain this precise andappears to be justified by such exceptional circum- categorical provision Why does the Covenantstances, must not, in the words of the proposal not leave it to the wisdom of the Council or thebefore you, constitute a precedent ". Assembly in each special case to decide how long

I will now read the proposal submitted to the it needs to draw up its report . The reason istwo parties: plain. It is because delay is dangerous; because

it is contrary to the interests both of the nations"While laying stress on the exceptional in dispute and of the world at large that an inter-

character of a measure which is imposed on it national conflict should be prolonged; and because,by circumstances, the Assembly, noting that the above all, delay may make it possible for one partyrepresentatives of the Chinese and Japanese or the other to inflict material damage upon itsGovernments have both informed its President adversary, to create a fait accompli, a situation inof their agreement concerning the extension of which it can by illegal action virtually imposethe time limit laid down in the second paragraph the solution it desires to see. Further, the Assem-of Article 12 of the Covenant, decides to prolong bly should note that the period of six months laidthis time limit to the extent that may be strictly down by Article 12 is not the period which thenecessary and on the understanding that the authors of the Covenant believed would always besaid extension shall not constitute a precedent. required; on the contrary, it is the statutory maxi-

" After receiving the report of the Commission mum which, they held, in every case it would beof Enquiry, the Assembly, on the proposal of dangerous for the Council or the Assembly to exceed.its Committee, will fix the duration of the Consider the bearing of this provision in theextension. present case. According to the calculation of the

"It goes without saying that, in deciding Secretariat, the six-month period will expire onupon this extension, the Assembly has no August 19th. But on August 19th it will not beintention of unduly prolonging its work; it six months, it will already be eleven monthsdesires to conclude it as rapidly as circumstances since China first laid this matter before the League.permit. It hopes,in particular, that its Committee I am well aware that in the first instance we didwillbe in a position to begin its examination so under the provisions of Article 11, and that inof the report of the Commission of Enquiry strict law the six-month period begins when webefore November 1st." first made use of our rights under Article 15.

But the Assembly will remember that, in delayingso long before we used these rights, we were acting

Before asking the Assembly to adopt this text, in accordance with pressing outside advice whichI would point out that Japan has no objection to we received from many quarters, and we werethe proposed extension and that China also agrees making a supreme effort to bring about a solutionto it, subject, in both cases, to certain observations' of the conflict by conciliatory means. We find

As the parties have specifically expressed their it difficult to accept, therefore, that the interestsintentions, I would ask the Assembly to take of China should in the end be penalised, becausea decision with regard to the proposal I have just f her patient and conciliatory attitude duringread. those first five months.

I ask the Assembly to observe that China isin no way to blame for the long delay before the

M. Yen (China). The purpose of this meeting report can be prepared. Why is that delayis that the Assembly may agree to a prolongation required ? Because Lord Lytton's Commissionof the period within which, under the Covenant, of Enquiry did not arrive sooner on the spota report upon the Sino-Japanese dispute should where its enquiries have to be made. The Assem-be prepared. I desire to say at once, on behalf bly will note that the Covenant says nothing aboutof the Government of China, that we accept the delays caused by such Commissions of Enquiry.proposal. We were not present at the meeting It assumes that the Assembly will make arrange-of the Committee of Nineteen when the decision ments to complete its work within the timewas taken, but we recognise the force of the reasons prescribed; but, in saying that, I do not wish towhich our President, on behalf of the Committee, imply that we do not recognise the high value ofhas laid before the Assembly to-day, and my the report which the Lytton Commission willcolleagues may, therefore, be assured that we shall make. Since the report will be based upon theraise no objections to the proposal. Covenant, the Nine-Power Treaty and the Pact

I hope, however, that the members of the Assem- of Paris, upon the Council's resolutions ofbly will not think that our agreement is a small September 30th and December 10th and uponthing - a matter of course which costs us nothing. the Assembly's resolution of March 11th, we areThis new delay is not a small thing; it is a change confident that it cannot fail to uphold the prin-of great gravity for China and, if I may say so, ciples of right and justice.also for. the League. Even when, as no doubt May I be allowed, however, to repeat that itin the present case, reasons are urgent and evident, is not our fault that this extension period has beenthe Members of the League cannot lightly alter required. We urged in September last, againstthe procedure which the Covenant lays down; Japanese opposition, that a Commission of Enquiryespecially when, as in the present instance, that should be sent to Manchuria without delay. Whenprocedure is being used for the first time and when, at last the Council definitely decided on

December 10th to send such a Commission, weurged its immediate dispatch. We were alarmed

See Annex VII. even by M. Briand's assurances that before the end

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of January it would be on the spot. As everybody have been seized by the so-called "Manchukuo ",knows, there were serious delays in the consti- with the exception of the one in Dairen, which,tution of the Commission; and even when it was however, has ceased to remit its very large collec-set up it did not, as we had recommended, proceed tions to the head office. The Japanese head of theto China by the most expeditious route. Finally Bureau of Communications has been appointedit was not the end of January, but April 21st, chief of the Postal Administration of the illegalwhen the Commission reached Mukden, where "Manchukuo" organisation and is on his way toits work of investigation had to be conducted. his post, accompanied by other Japanese. TheWe are told that, since the Commission must Chinese post offices are being forced to use thevisit Japan and perhaps Nanking and only then calendar of the "Manchukuo", and it is proposed tocan proceed to draft its report, we cannot hope compel the post offices to accept illegal postagethat its recommendations will arrive before the stamps from July 1st. 1 As regards the Salt Gabelle,middle of September - more than a month after Japanese officers and deputies have, ever sincethe end of the statutory delay. September 19th last, visited the bureaux at Mukden

I hope the Assembly will not take what I have and Newchwang and have, in all, removed oversaid as a complaint, but I hope it will recognise seven million dollars of collected taxes. The sealthat the responsibility for the loss of time which of the administration was also taken away by thehas occurred certainly cannot be laid at China's Japanese advisers of "Manchukuo", and now alldoor. For that reason we feel we are entitled to the members, Chinese and foreign, of the Gabelle,request that the new delay to which we are now which is of course a national organisation, haveasked by the Assembly to agree shall not be a been driven out of Manchuria by the Japanese.delay for any long-extended period, but, on thecontrary, that it shall be a delay for the absolute Turning our attention to military aggravationsminimum imposed by the sheer necessities of Turning our attention to military aggravations,minimum imposed by the sheer necessities ofthe case. may I recall that, on February 2nd of this year, 2

the Right Honourable J. H. Thomas, the BritishThe Lytton report will be at Geneva before representative on the Council, declared thatSeptember 15th, translated, if necessary, printedand circulated about the end of the month. MyGovernment notes that the Committee of Nineteen "is Majesty's Government in the Unitedfirmly intends to study the report of the Lytton Kingdom feel it to be impossible that the presentCommission before November ist. My Government situation in the Far East should be allowed toexpects that not only will that study be begun by continue. Every day brings news of some freshthat date, but that the final report of the Assembly incident of the utmost gravity. Fighting over awill be adopted or ready for adoption before then. wide area is practically continuous.When it is said that the Committee firmly intends War in everything but name is in progress."to study the report of the Lytton Commissionbefore November 1st, I take it to mean theCommittee in its official and corporate sense, for,privately and individually, the study can surely Everyone knows what has happened in thebegin as soon as the report is circulated- namely, months since then. Japanese troops, after thethe end of September. The report will, I hope, terrible slaughter and destruction of open war,contain matters of sufficient interest to awaken have been transferred from Shanghai to Manchuria.the curiosity of us all, even in our private and In Manchuria, things have grown continuouslyindividual capacity. worse until they are perhaps almost as serious to-

May I turn now to the second consideration day as was the fighting in Shanghai three monthswhich I desire to lay before my colleagues- ago. Little is heard of the fighting in Manchuria,namely, the political application of these constitu- yet the struggle is just as intense, just as bitter,tional aspects of the actual facts of the present just as bloody, as the fighting in Shanghai. Men,situation? Any new delay is grave, as I have tried women and children are dying daily, and everyto argue, on constitutional grounds. But it must be death is another failure for the League. Japan hasparticularly grave if one of the parties to the not shown much regard for the counsels which thedispute is using force, is infringing its duties and League has given her. There is an old Chineseobligations under the constitution of the League, saying that Heaven is high and the Emperor is faris inflicting material damage upon its adversary away; Japan says to herself, the Covenant is highor its attempting to achieve a fait accompli. It is and Geneva is far away, and to her heart's contentparticularly grave because, as I have said, it was to she goes on with her policy of defiance.prevent these very things that the statutory timelimit was first inserted in Article 12.

In its preliminary report, the Lytton CommissionYet, in the present instance, Japan is doing every has officially informed us that in Manchuria thereone of these things. This dispute, indeed, presents is war in everything but name; 140,000 men in thea very classical example, in all its features, of the field on either side. I may add that these figures aresituation which the authors of the Covenant had admittedly derived from Japanese sources and myin mind. Japan has used force; she has, by her Government has reason to think that they are aown admission in the Council, disregarded her serious understatement. Instead of the 22,400obligations under the Covenant of the League; Japanese troops which the Lytton Commissionshe is, as I shall show, inflicting material damage reported were in Manchuria, there are to-dayof the gravest kind upon the Chinese people; she something like 60,000, and reinforcements ofis, as I shall also show, overthrowing the plain cavalry and other units have recently beencommandments of Article 10; and she is attempting sent there. Since the report was made, fightingto present the League of Nations with a fait has become more desperate every day and moreaccompli. widespread; yet, even at that time, the Lytton

What are the facts of the present situation ?Making use of the puppet government, Japan is

now destroying the integrity of the Chinese MaritimeCustoms, the Postal Administration and the Gabelle 1 See Annex X, D.Service. The different Customs offices in Manchuria 2 See Official Journal, March 1932 (Part I), page 350.

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Commission summed up the conditions in the the proposal as recommended by the Specialfollowing striking words: Committee, the Assembly will not tolerate, during

the period of prolongation, further aggravation"Armed conflicts between these various forces of a character already mentioned and of others.

are frequent. There are bandit raids; attempts Among them, I may mention the understandingof the Japanese soldiers and of the ' Manchukuo laid down in the Assembly resolution of March 11th,Government' troops to suppress them, and recalling the Council declaration of February 16th,lfighting between the various military forces that "no infringement of the territorial integrityattempting to maintain the new regime and those and no change in the political independence of anyopposed to it. The result is loss of life, destruction Member of the League brought about in disregardof property, and general sense of insecurity." of Article 10 of the Covenant ought to be recognised

as valid and effectual by Members of the League ",What does this language mean ? I ask the which includes of course recognition of the

Assembly to make an effort of imagination and to "Manchukuo ", and declaring that it is incumbentsee things as the people of the Eastern Provinces upon Members of the League "not to recogniseare seeing them to-day. The chaos, the misery of any situation . .. brought about by meansthat unhappy population are beyond any power of contrary to the Covenant or the Pact of Paris ".mine to describe. These three rich provinces,which used to be the granary of China, must thisyear import vast quantities of food if the people In the third place, I desire to say one wordare not to die of hunger. Owing to the frightful concerning what I call the broader grounds of theconditions brought about by the Japanese invasion, general policy and general interests of the worldthe farmers and the peasants have been unable to-day.to sow their crops and famine stares them in theface. Japan, therefore, is inflicting grave, if notirreparable, material damage upon the Chinese Every country is at present involved in a worldpeople. crisis, the gravity of which has only been surpassed

The preliminary report of the Lytton Commission by the world war itself. Two great Conferencesexplains that the "Manchukuo Army" has been are meeting at Lausanne and at Geneva to trycreated with the help of the Japanese military to create the conditions by which that crisis canauthorities: be ended. As a great contribution to that purpose,

the United States Government has made a"Many Japanese officers, either retired or still disarmament proposal that has caught the imagina-

belonging to the Japanese army, have been tion of the world. That proposal is based uponengaged as military advisers and their number the value of the Pact of Paris s a guarantee ofis increasing. Contracts with some of these peace. In welcoming the United States proposal,officers have been made for one year. A Japanese the French Government declared that its policyofficer has been appointed to the Department towards it must be determined by the securityof Defence of the Manchukuo Government' at against aggression which the League can furnishChangchun." to its Members. There is no hope of international

confidence, no hope of disarmament, no hope ofFurther, in a communication from M. Sato to economic recovery, unless that mutual confidence,

the Council, the Japanese Government formally which can only be built upon the authority ofdeclared that: the Covenant, can be restored. But the acid

test of the value of the Covenant must lie in what" The Japanese forces are at present providing the League will do about Japan's undeclared war

the forces of this Government in a friendly and unavowed annexation in Manchuria. So longspirit with such assistance as they need to as this conflict continues and so long as internationalrestore and maintain order and tranquillity." relations in the Far East are poisoned by the tragic

events that still continue, we cannot hope thatMr. Stimson, the Secretary of State of the United here, on the shores of the Lake of Geneva, we can

States, in a letter to Senator Borah' which was establish a firm system of peace and internationalofficially circulated by the United States Govern- co-operation.ment to all the Members of the League, declaredthat, in view of the events--which have sincebeen reported by the Lytton Commission--itwas clear beyond peradventure that a situation M. Sandr (had developed which "cannot under any circum- weenstances be reconciled with the covenants of theNine-Power Treaty and of the Pact of Paris." Translation: The Assembly is faced with whatHe added that, "if those Treaties had been faith- is, in point of fact, an extraordinary situation, afully observed, such a situation could never have proposal having been submitted to it to extendarisen" the period of six months laid down in the actual

In the light of these facts, so powerfully attested text of the Covenant. That time limit for theby the British Government, the United States framing of the report was, however, fixed at a maxi-Government and the impartial Commission of mum for reasons which are self-evident. OneEnquiry which Lord Lytton leads, it is plain that would seek in vain in the Covenant for any provisiongrave material damage is being inflicted upon allowing of exceptions of the kind now contem-the Chinese people and that further delay in plated. True, as justification for an extraordinaryreaching a settlement of the dispute must not measure such as the extension of the time limit,only increase the extent and scale of that damage, stress might be laid on the complicated character ofbut also must favour the attempt of those who the Sino-Japanese dispute, though that argumentare seeking by armed force to create a fait accompli. is in no way calculated to dispel entirely legitimateOn this ground, therefore, my Government desires apprehensions. At the moment, however, it mustme to make absolutely clear that, in adopting be confessed, one very important reason for the

1 See Official Journal, March 1932 (Part III), page 922. 1 See Official Journal, March 1932 (Part I), page 384.

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present difficulties is to be sought in circumstances in the Committee of Nineteen has been basedfor which the League itself and its organs are consistently on those same principles.responsible. To-day, the Assembly, still desirous of bringing

From the outset it was obvious that the Sino- about a pacific settlement of the dispute, findsJapanese affair called for firm and rapid action. itself obliged to adopt an expedient which mayBut can it be claimed that the procedure adopted seem contrary to the letter of the Covenant. Thatby the League has been in keeping with the extreme expedient is justified, however, by the specialimportance of the dispute ? The impasse with circumstances of which you are aware. Thewhich we are faced to-day is due to the fact that extension of the time laid down for the framingthe League has put itself in the position of being of the report referred to in Article 12 of theobliged to wait, and to wait long and patiently, Covenant, which is also binding upon the Assembly,for the report of one of its own organs - namely, might, as M. Sandler has pointed out, constitutethe Commission of Enquiry appointed last year a very dangerous precedent. Happily, our resolu-by the Council. That Commission has found tion declares that this is to be regarded as anitself unable to submit its report in due time. entirely exceptional measure. If we approve it,It is, in fact, owing to that circumstance that the we do so with the earnest hope that, duringAssembly is now obliged to agree to a measure the further period allowed, no act will be committedwhich lies outside the terms of the Covenant, a which might aggravate the situation or give risemeasure which must appear of a grave if not a to any new fact such as to prejudice a peacefuldangerous character, however strongly we may settlement. From this standpoint, we remainemphasise the fact that the proposed extension faithful to the resolutions already passed by theshall not be allowed to constitute a precedent for Assembly. In no case would we allow the infringe-the future. ment of those resolutions.

The Assembly, as a matter of fact, has no real On this understanding, the Czechoslovak dele-choice. One essential condition, however, should gation will vote in favour of the resolution, trustingbe stressed which may perhaps allay anxiety, that the measure contemplated may facilitateand that is the fact that the time limit will not the Assembly's arduous task and create conditionsbe extended beyond what is strictly necessary. which will promote a gradual rapprochementIn this connection, the Commission of Enquiry, between the two parties to the dispute.it may be noted, is simply required to supply theLeague authorities with as comprehensive docu- M. Martinez de Alva (Mexico). - It is greatlymentary material as possible, which shall enable to be regretted that this Assembly, for lack of athose authorities, with a full knowledge of the case, report, should be forced to postpone the dateto take decisions designed to bring about a fair of its own conclusions.settlement of the dispute. It is for the Assembly Faced with the practically accomplished fact ofitself to take any measure such as is contemplated an unaccomplished duty, I am bound to make, inin Article 15 of the Covenant and to decide on the the name of my country, the express reservationterms of settlement of the dispute. I trust that already included in the text of the proposal--the Council will arrange that the documentary that is, that the acceptance of this delay shouldmaterial asked for may be submitted to this not set an example or constitute a precedent forAssembly at the earliest possible date. the future.

I desire also to recall the terms of the resolution In view of the magnitude of the moral interestsadopted by the Assembly on March 11th, 1932, involved, I may add that I personally sincerelywhich refers not only to the attitude of the parties hope that the reservation thus made by us willto the case, but also to that of all the Members of be taken into account by subsequent Assemblies.the League. That resolution stipulates that "itis contrary to the spirit of the Covenant that M. de Madariaga (Spain):the settlement of the Sino-Japanese dispute Translation: I desire to associate myself withshould be sought under the stress of military the declarations of the three previous speakers.pressure on the part of either party". Further, First, let me express my regret that circumstancesthe Assembly has proclaimed that it is incumbent oblige us to adopt a decision which, whatever theupon the Members of the League of Nations not precautions taken to prevent its constitutingto recognise any situation, treaty or agreement a precedent, does none the less constitute awhich may be brought about by means contrary precedent which may present dangers for theto the Covenant of the League of Nations or to future. Later, the League must take steps to guardthe Pact of Paris. itself against the consequences that some might

Subject to the foregoing observations, the Swedish perhaps endeavour to deduce from such a precedent;delegation accepts the proposal for the extension, that is, in itself, a matter for regret. But it wouldin the present case, of the time laid down in be unjust to turn against men who at this momentArticle 12 of the Covenant. represent the League itself.

The League is still in its early days ; an institutionM. Fierlilner (Czechoslovakia): which is ten years old is still in its infancy.

Moreover, as our President has said with hisTranslation : I have been asked to convey to unparalleled authority, we are confronted not only

you M. Benes's regrets that he is unable to be with the most difficult case that the League haspresent at this meeting, as he has been obliged ever encountered in its history, but with the firstto leave Geneva for a few days. case that has ever necessitated the application by

He has asked me to inform you that he still the League of the stipulations of the Covenantadheres to the policy which he has followed since providing for the Assembly's intervention in athe beginning of the dispute. His point of view dispute. It is only natural that its inexperiencewas adequately explained during the earlier should make itself felt. I would venture to saymeetings of the Assembly, when he urged that the that that inexperience is a matter for satisfactionAssembly should act strictly in conformity with the and I trust that the League may long continue toprovisions of the Covenant and in the spirit of the remain inexperienced, for that will mean that itCovenant, that it should use its whole influence has few disputes with which to deal. This sameto persuade the two parties to the dispute to remain happy inexperience, however, has led the League towithin the law and to abstain from acts of coercion commit, not serious faults, but rather errors inor violence. The Czechoslovak delegate's attitude procedure, one of which was certainly the perhaps

16

inevitable - perhaps not entirely inevitable - After receiving the report of the Commission ofdelay with which the Commission was organised Enquiry, the Assembly, on the proposal of itsand sent to the Far East. But institutions, like Committee, will fix the duration of the extension.people, can, or should, learn something from their It goes without saying that, in ecidig upon thismistakes. Let us hope that when the League is extension, the Assembly has no intention of undulyfaced with any fresh conflict - in a far distant prolonging its work; it desires to conclude it asfuture - we shall be able to take sounder action rapidly as circumstances permit. It hopes in parti-in the matter. cular that its Committee will be in a position to

The regret which we all feel relates not only to begin its examination of the report of the Com-the theoretical consequences to which I have just misson of ry before November 1st.referred, but also to the fact, stressed by theSwedish delegate, that a delay rarely brings the The proposal was adopted.time factor into play to the same extent on bothsides of the barrier. Time is undoubtedly a sub-stantial element in political questions and, without The Presidentdwelling on the problem with which you are allsufficiently conversant, you will certainly realise Translation: The Assembly having decided tothat an additional day, an additional month, is far extend the time limit laid down, I desire in connec-more serious for one of the parties than for the tion with this decision to stress one particularlyother. important point. If the Assembly has agreed to

It seemed to me necessary that a certain number this extension, it is because it feels that the Leagueof members of the Assembly should express their should pursue its efforts under the most favourableviews on this question, for we have in the Far East conditions, with a view to a satisfactory settlementfive conscientious men who are endeavouring to of the dispute referred to it. The parties, both ofstudy the problem with complete impartiality, at the whom are Members of the League, must do theircost of heavy personal sacrifice, in order to be able best to help it to bring about conditions favourableto submit to us a report which will enable us to find to a settlement.a friendly solution in conformity with the Covenant In the letter which I addressed on June 24th 1and one that will be satisfactory to the two countries to the representatives of China and Japan I said:chiefly concerned. It is only right, it is only fairthat the Commission of Enquiry should feel itself " In submitting to you this proposal, it is mysupported by the friendly atmosphere of the duty to add that I have every confidence thatAssembly. It is only right that the Commission the undertaking not to aggravate the situationshould know that the pacts which it is asked to entered into by the two parties before the Council,interpret are not inanimate, but living realities in and recorded by the latter on September 30thwhich we all have faith. We hope soon to be able and December 10th in resolutions which retainto record the success of those who are called upon their full executory force, will be scrupulouslyto apply them in that distant part of the world. observed. I am sure that you will agree with me

that these resolutions will continue to be fullyThe President: valid during the period for which the time limitTranslation: The proposal which I read earlier of six months may be extended. I would also

Trnlto TepooalwihIrederir refer you to the resolution which the Assemblyin the meeting has been the subject of important refer you to the resolution which the Assemblyand helpful observations, but I note that it has adte resolutions of the Council.tgiven rise to no objections.given rise to no objections. the two resolutions of the Council."

Let me repeat, in my turn, what I feel to be theview of this Assembly- that the decision now proposed is undoubtedly occasioned by certain Such embly athe case, the to declare taken byquite extraordinary and uncontrollable circum- the Assembly authorises me to declare that thestances and that, in consequence, it must be deemed parties must abstain from any action that mightto constitute an exceptional measure and not a roie e ue of e or the

~~~~precedent.~ ~mission of Enquiry or of any efforts the LeagueNo objection having been raised, I consider the settlement.

following proposal as adopted: I would remind you also that on March 11th theAssembly proclaimed " that it is incumbent upon

While laying stress on the exceptional character the Members of the League of Nations not toof a measure which is imposed on it by circum- recognise any situation, treaty or agreement whichstances, the Assembly, noting that the represen- may be brought about by means contrary to thetatives of the Chinese and Japanese Governments Covenant of the League of Nations or to the Pacthave both informed its President of their agreement of Paris ".concerning the extension of the time limit laiddown in the second paragraph of Article 12 of the The Assembly rose at 7.15 p.m.Covenant, decides to prolong this time limit to theextent that may be strictly necessary and on theunderstanding that the said extension shall notconstitute a precedent. 1 See Annex VII.

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SEVENTH PLENARY MEETING

Wednesday, July 6th, 1932, at 10 a.m.

CONTENTS. Panama, Persia, Poland, Roumania, Spain,WELCOME TO MB. KELLOGG. Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia,REPRESENTATION OF HUNGARY AT THE ASSEMBLY. Recognising that the Turkish Republic fulfils

the general conditions laid down in Article lENTY THE TURKISH EPUBLIC INTO THE LEAGUE of the Covenant for a State to become a MemberOF NATIONS.

of the League of Nrations:Adoption of the Draft Resolution proposed by the Pro s the Assembly that the TurkshDelegations of Albania, Australia, Austria, theUnited Kingdom, Bulgaria, Colombia, Cuba, Republic should be invited to enter the LeagueCzechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, of Nations and give it the benefit of its valuableGermany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, co-operation."Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama,Persia, Poland, Roumania, Spain, Sweden, In conformity with the decision taken at itsSwitzerland and Yugoslavia. last meeting, the Assembly is called upon to examine

this proposal.The Rules of Procedure of the Assembly provide

President: M. HYMANS. that:"The Assembly may, in exceptional circum-

WELCOME TO Mr. KELLOGG. stances, place additional items on theagenda . ."

The President. In virtue of this provision, you decided lastTranslation: I am glad to have an opportunity week to place this proposal on the agenda of the

of welcoming that distinguished American states- present session. Paragraph 4 of Rule 4 continuesman, Mr. Kellogg, whose name is linked in our as follows:minds with the illustrious name of M. Briand in "But a11 consideration of such items shll,the Paris Pact which, with the League Covenant, otherwise ordered by a two-thirds majorityconstitutes the Charter of Peace. of the Assembly, be postponed until four days

after they have been placed on the agenda,REPRESENTATION OF HUNGARY AT THE and until a committee has reported upon them."

ASSEMBLY.In the first place, therefore, we must know

The President: whether the Assembly consents, by a two-thirdsTranslation: I have been informed that, in the majority, to study the proposal immediately,

absence of Count Apponyi, who is unfortunately without referring it to a committee for a report.indisposed, and of General Tanczos, M. de Since no one objects to this proposal, I considerMasirevich, Hungarian Minister at Prague, will it adopted unanimously.represent his country at this Assembly. The proposal was adopted.

ENTRY OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC INTO The President:THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS: ADOPTION Translation: The general discussion on theOF THE DRAFT RESOLUTION PROPOSED draft resolution before the Assembly is now open.BY THE DELEGATIONS OF ALBANIA, The first speaker on the list is Sir Granville Ryrie,AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, THE UNITED KING- delegate of Australia.DOM, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, CUBA,CZECHOSLOVAKIA, DENMARK, ESTONIA, Sir Granville Ryrie (Australia). - I desire, on

FINLAND, FlRACE GERMAN, GREECE, behalf of the Government of the CommonwealthFLATNMA FNCA GY ITAY, GAPA, of Australia, to support warmly the suggestion that

GATEMALA, HNGARY, ITALY, JAPAN, Turkey should make application for admission toLATVIA, NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, the League of Nations. Throughout the ages,PANAMA, PERSIA, POLAND, ROUMlANIA, solidarity of character, culture of the highest order,SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, AND and national earnestness have been a few of theYUGOSLAVIA. many outstanding features of Turkish national life

- characteristics which are even more in evidenceThe President: to-day than in past centuries.Translation : You will remember that, at our As a combatant in the great war, with service on

previous meeting on July 1st, the Assembly Gallipoli and in Palestine, the Sinai desert anddecided to place on the agenda of its special session Syria, I came to admire the Turkish soldier for hisa draft resolution submitted by the Spanish stoical heroism in defence and brilliant attackingdelegation, and supported by several other dele- powers. Time after time on Gallipoli, I and mygations, proposing that the Turkish Republic be compatriots were amazed and filled with admirationinvited to become a Member of the League of at Turkish courage and endurance. We saw'theNations. Turkish army hurl itself forward in successive

The text of that resolution is as follows: bayonet charges against Australian machine-guns"The delegations of Albania, Australia, Austria, and under a veritable hail of shells from British

the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Colombia, Cuba, warships. Thus, in the white heat of battle, I formedCzechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, a high opinion of Turkish valour and powers ofFrance, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, resistance. Since that time, more passionate thanItaly, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, any emotion which has stirred me through life, is

18 -

my firm conviction that any nation which has seen In supporting the proposal before the Assembly,the horrors of war must dedicate its future to the I do not merely desire to reiterate our assurancessacred duty of preventing war. of friendship and sympathy with the Turkish

The doctrine of the League of Nations is the Republic; I should like also to give expression

outlawry of war, and the settlement of international here, in this Assembly, to the feeling of confidence

disputes by pacific means, and any application for with which my country has welcomed the birth

membership which Turkey might make would and followed the consolidation of that young

undoubtedly be regarded as an earnest of Turkey's Mediterranean State under the enlightened leader-

desire to consecrate its future to these noble ideals. ship of the Gazi. These are the sentiments whichI cannot help feeling that such an event would be have informed Italian policy, and it is our earnestone of first importance - it would mark a new era wish that we may soon have the opportunity of

in the national life of Turkey, and Turkish colla- welcoming the representatives of the Turkish

boration in the work of the League of Nations Republic in our midst.would assuredly be most valuable and helpful. Itherefore have much pleasure in supporting the M. Giippert (Germany):draft resolution.~draft~~ ~resolution. |Translation: May I say in the first place that

it had been the desire of Baron von Neurath,

M. Slpahbodi (Persia): German Minister for Foreign Affairs, to speakhere in person on this solemn occasion. To his

Translation: It was with great pleasure that I great regret, however, he has been detained atsigned, with my Government's consent, the draft Lausanne by other important duties. It is onproposal to invite Turkey to join the League of his behalf and acting upon his special instructionsNations. that I have the honour to explain here our attitude

You will allow me to take this opportunity of towards the proposal upon to-day's agenda.expressing the satisfaction which my country The purpose of the proposal is to fill a gap,would feel at seeing the Turkish Republic effectively one which will have been felt by all the Membersassociating itself with this great work. Turkey, of the League, for it is a real gap in our ranks thatwhich is our neighbour, will, I feel sure, respond we should not have had among us Turkey, thatin the same spirit to the invitation about to be great Republic, which under the wise guidanceaddressed to her. of its illustrious head seems particularly called

Since its foundation, the Turkish Republic has upon to co-operate in the League's work -a

worked uninterruptedly in the cause of peace and work of peace, concilation and understanding

world collaboration, and it would be really among the countries of the world.

regrettable if all that work continued to be done Germany was happy to associate herself with

independently of our institution. this proposal to invite Turkey to join the Leagueindependently of our institutuon. and take among us that place which may be said

The solution of difficulties created by the world and take among us that place which may be saidwar and the cordiality with which Turkey has l to have been long reserved for her, for, in virtuesettled differences with her neighbours (ineluding of her geographical position and national character,my own country), which had remaigh ed unsettled fate seems to have entrusted to Turkey the missionmy own country), which had remained unsettled of action as mediator between the peoples of thefor a whole century, are the most striking proofs o a a d t t o o of her peaceful spirit. East and of the West.

f h p s Germany is particularly glad to associate herselfTurkey's entry into the League in the immediate h this proposal, since the invitation which it

future will help partially to fill a void caused by the carried with it is addressed to an old and faithfulnon-collaboration of certain great States; it will friend. That spirit of cordial amity and loyalalso be an additional guarantee for the maintenance confidence which has characterised the relationsof peace throughout the world, especially in the between the German and Turkish peoples and theirNear East, and will constitute a further step Governments will, I feel sure, be a feature oftowards the universality of this great institution. Turkey's future co-operation with all the Members

of the League.

M. Seialoja (Italy):M. Vasco de Quevedo (Portugal):

Translation : I have the honour, on behalf of theItalian Government, cordially to support the Translation: The Portuguese delegation desires

proposal before the Assembly. We have always to state that it had no previous notice of the draft

been of the opinion that the cause of the League of resolution submitted to the Assembly inviting

Nations was closely bound up with its universal the Turkish Republic to give the League the benefit

character and that that universality was a of its permanent co-operation. That invitation

necessary condition of its future and its success. bore the names of twenty-nine Members of the

I need not remind you that Italy has in the past League, but the name of my country was not

placed a very generous interpretation upon the among them.League constitution as regards the participation I desire accordingly to state that Portugal

of non-member States in our work. We have fully supports--and does so with the utmost

acted thus for the specific purpose of facilitating satisfaction-the draft resolution submitted to

the entry of those States into the League. To-day us at our last meeting. I welcome this opportunity

we are taking a further step in this direction, which of greeting the great Turkish Republic and of

is undoubtedly the right direction. offering it my country's sincerest and warmest

The Italian Government is especially glad that congratulations.it should be Turkey to whom we are addressingour invitation to-day. Turkey constitutes an The Marquis of Londonderry (United Kingdom).

essential element which has been missing in the - It is a great pleasure to me, as representing the

general scheme of political interests in Europe. We United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

Italians regard that element as of very special value, Ireland, to be able to join with my colleagues in

and the intimate relations which exist to-day welcoming the proposal to invite Turkey to become

between Turkey and Italy constitute the clearest a Member of the League. I am sure that the

and most eloquent proof of the importance we inclusion of Turkey in the League of Nations will

attach to it. give universal satisfaction, and, moreover, it

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is one step further towards the completion of the Intimate as this plenary meeting of the AssemblyLeague, which cannot be said to have attained is, it is none the less invested with a solemn characterits full strength or to be able to exercise its full such as attaches to any meeting concerned with themoral influence unless its membership comprises entry of a new Member into the League of Nations,every nation throughout the world. The inclusion thus signifying a further step towards that univer-of Turkey in the membership of the League of sality which is our aim and ambition.Nations is one step nearer that ideal. Events of this kind are most happily stressed -

The Government of the United Kingdom is and that in moving terms -by words such as thoseconvinced that Turkey represents an important uttered by the delegate of Australia, by the pictureselement in the stability and peace of the world and memories which he has conjured up in thisand that her collaboration in the League of Nations peaceful atmosphere and by words such as thoseis both necessary and desirable. Her importance which, whether by a happy coincidence or of setis due, not only to her commanding geographical purpose, were spoken by the delegate of Greeceposition as a link between Europe and the Near at our last meeting.and Middle East, but also to the nature of the policy They spoke of things which we now forget, as wellwhich has been followed by the new Turkish as of the efforts of peoples which are united inRepublic under the most distinguished leadership their common respect for the provisions of theof the GaziMustapha Kemal. The rulers of Turkey Covenant and determined to co-operate in thehave understood that the great task of national organisation of peace - our common aim.reconstruction does not necessarily imply a narrow Lord Londonderry emphasised the particularlynationalism. They have taken a wide and generous happy character of the invitation which we areview of the part which Turkey, like all other about to issue as a preliminary, we trust, to thecountries, must play in the comity of nations. accession of a new Member, seeing that that veryOld enmities have been forgotten, old friendships ancient country constitutes as it were a link be-have been renewed, and we may welcome each tween Europe and Asia and is, at the same time,stage in the progress of Turkey towards a revival a symbol of the world task on which we are engaged.of her own strength and resources as a fresh I have heard the delegates of the different Powerscontribution to the organisation of peace and refer one after another to their friendship - recentharmony between the nations. or of long standing - with Turkey; my country

Should Turkey accept the invitation which it is can, I think, claim a friendship still more ancient,now proposed to extend to her, His Majesty's dating as it does from a time when that sameGovernment will, for these reasons, be among the friendship was almost a matter for scandal. I refervery first to welcome her presence among us. to the time when His Most Christian Majesty sentThe efficacy of the League of Nations in whatever greetings to the Commander of the Faithful. Hesphere, whether political, social or economic, was, in his own way, a precursor of the League.depends upon its universality, and I therefore Nowadays, we confound civilisations, faiths, reli-have no doubt that, in including in our member- gions and countries in a common desire not only forship the Republic of Turkey, we are making an pacification - that would not suffice- but for theimportant addition to the structure of peace which deliberate and constructive organisation of peace.it is the aim of the League of Nations to achieve.

M. de Masirevieh (Hungary): M. Nagaoka (Japan):

Translation : Having been instructed by my Translation: I desire, on behalf of the JapaneseGovernment to act as substitute for Count Apponyi, delegation, to associate myself very warmly withwho is indisposed, I have the honour to make the the remarks already made by my colleagues. Atfollowing statement: this moment, when the League is concerned wiih

Hungary welcomes with satisfaction and with the questions of vital importance to the very future ofwarmest sympathy the invitation to Turkey to mankind, we have the utmost satisfaction inbecome a Member of the League. My country was welcoming a great nation with which my countryglad to be numbered among those responsible for was already on very friendly terms, at a time whenthis invitation, which afforded us an opportunity Japan was but little known to the Western peoples.of showing once again our regard, sympathy and Turkey's accession will mark a fresh stage infriendship for that great nation. the universality of the Geneva organisation, ensur-

For many centuries, Turkey and Hungary found ing us the valuable co-operation of a people whichthemselves in opposite camps. The evolution of has always played a great part in history.history, however, has long since changed former From both these standpoints, Japan hails withadversaries into good and trusted friunds, antici- satisfaction the advent of Turkey as a Member ofpating, if I may venture to say so, the spirit which this world institution.should animate the League and enable it to carryout its great and glorious task of helping to bringtogether the peoples of the world. M. Mikoff (Bulgaria):

By Turkey's accession, the League will gain aMember whose valuable assistance - already Translation : On behalf of my Government, Ihighly appreciated at the various conferences held warmly support the proposal now before theunder League auspices- willundoubtedly give fresh Assembly. Turkey's entry represents a furtherimpetus to those ideals which are inherent in our step towards the universality of the League, andconstitution. universality, as the French representative has just

said once again, is the aim and the ambition of thisM. Paul-Boneour (France): organisation.

Turkey, moreover, is the only one of Bulgaria'sTranslationr : As permanent delegate of France neighbours still outside the League. Her admission

on the League Council, I was anxious to be present would thus fill a gap. She has participated alreadyhere in person, that I might associate myself, on in some of the League's work and she will now joinmy country's behalf, with the feelings which have forces with us in the pursuit of the same ideal.just been expressed, feelings which we share, as The young Turkish Republic has not awaited thisour signature, appended to this invitation to Turkey, event to give the League the benefit of its invaluablealready testifies. help, for, as I say, she has been enthusiastically

- 20 -

working for some time side by side with us. She As I had not that opportunity, I now merely wish

ardently supports the essential activities of our to give the full and cordial support of the Govern-

institution. Even before to-day's event, she ment of the Irish Free State to the invitation to

has given positive proof of her attachment to the Turkey to apply for membership of the League.

League's ideals by concluding treaties with various If there were no other reason, there is one to be

countries, among them Bulgaria, based on the found in the history of the two countries. Ireland

principles on which the League rests. In short, by does not forget that, during the terrible famine

her acts she has been in communion with us before which devastated my country in the middle of

she joined us. the nineteenth century, the generous Turks sentshiploads of food from one corner of Europe to

I therefore once again warmly welcome Turkey save the lives of people nearly two thousand milesand her forthcoming advent in our midst. away.

Turkey has an important part to play in inter-national life and in the development of this greatorganisation, and we hope soon to see this great

M. Gwiazdowski o Republic take her rightful place amongst us.M. Gwiazdowslki (Poland):

1M. Pfliigl (Austria):Translation: M. Zaleski, Polish Minister for

Foreign Affairs, has instructed me to express his the keenest satisfaction at the ment s ofvery keen regret at being unable to attend this te eenes the dev elopment ofsolemnmeeting. Hehas unfortunatelybeendetained events whereby the Turkish Republic has beeby business which he was unable to postpone.by business which he was unable to postplone. |brought into increasingly closer contact with the

League during these last few years, with the

Poland was one of the countries which signed consequence that it is playing an important and

the draft resolution proposing that the Turkish useful part in the universal work we are nowRepublic be invited to enter the League, and I pursuing for the reduction of armaments. Itam happy to express the very deep satisfaction is that development which has led to the cordial

felt by my Government at the prospect of Turkey's proposal originating in this Assembly that the greataccession to our great international organisation, Turkish people be invited to take its place amongwhere she will work with us in the cause of peace. us. The Austrian Government looks forward

with pleasure to the happy results that cannotThe satisfaction and joy felt by the Polish fail to ensue from the co-operation of the young

Republic are all the keener and more sincere, since Mediterranean Republic in our international acti-the Polish nation can never forget that Turkey vity, which will thus be strengthened and extended.was the only country that consistently declined Austria was glad to append her signature to andto recognise the iniquitous acts by which, in the t associate herself with this invitation to Turkey.eighteenth century, the partitioning States removed The very warm welcome we offer her is in accordPoland from the map of Europe. We are confident with the age-long relations and friendly feelingsthat the Turkish Republic will co-operate in the uniting the two countries.League's work in the spirit of justice and unionby which Turkey was guided in her relations M. Dupre (Canada):with Poland in the most tragic days of our history. the Assembly's last meeting,

Tralslsation: At the Assembly's last meeting,The Polish Government therefore will welcome we became acquainted for the first time with the

Turkey's entry into the League with feelings of invitation to be extended to Turkey. The Canadiancordial friendship. Government desires particularly to endorse that

invitation and heartily to support it. We associateourselves with everything that has been saidhere and if, as we hope, the invitation is acceptedour future co-worker can be assured of a very

The Aga Khan (India).-- I am most happy sympathetic and cordial welcome.to support the draft resolution on behalf of the delegation of India. The history of India has been M Resrepo (Colombia)linked for countless centuries with that of Turkey,sometimes in the clash of rivalry, but more often Translation: On behalf of the Latin Republicswith ties of culture and friendship. We rejoice of South and North America, I desire to extendthat these are now to be given lasting form in a welcome to Turkey, for I have the honour tocommon membership of the world organisation represent one of the countries which has suggestedfor peace and goodwill. There is a saying that that she should be invited to join the League.those who have fought each other hardest make Although her territory has been reduced, Turkey'sthe best friends. We are proving the truth of history represents one of the great pages in thethat saying. We are happy to claim that no story of mankind. We, who are the heirs of Spain,bitterness has been left, but rather a feeling of bear in mind the exploits of the great chiefs ofmutual respect on which true friendship can most Islam - Selim, Ibrahim and Muhammed -surely be built. with whom our ancestors fought for five centuries

and whose valour, courage and honour we readilyIndia thus gives Turkey a triple welcome to the acknowledge, adversaries though they were of

League as age-long neighbours and co-operators our civilisation and our beliefs. Religious questionsin culture and civilisation, as recent opponents, have now ceased to play a part, or rather religion isand now we can say, with confidence, as life-long now a personal matter to be solved by each of usfriends. We hope to march forward together as in the light of his own conscience. Turkey, wefirm allies in the cause of world peace, believe, desires to join us, and the American

Continent will welcome with enthusiasm heraccession to the League.

Mr. Lester (Irish Free State). - I should have The President:been glad if I had been given an opportunity toadd the name of the Irish Free State delegation Translation: As there are no more speakers

to the document which was circulated last week. on my list, I declare the discussion closed.

- 21

I note that all the delegations that have spoken Instructs the Secretary-General to give effecthave signified their acceptance of the draft reso- to this resolution.lution. All the speakers have agreed that theLeague's future and authority are bound up with If there is no objection, I shall consider the draftits universality. They have all mentioned the great resolution adopted.satisfaction which we shall feel at seeing Turkey, The draft resolution was adopted.which under the auspices of its august leader,Mustapha Kemal Pasha, has made such immense The President strides on the road of progress and politicaldevelopment, taking part in the League's work for Transation : Certam steps are necessary with apeace and international organisation. view to the action which this Assembly still has

I desire to associate myself with those views, to take.and I trust that the Turkish representatives will The resolution we have just adopted will beshortly take their places in the Assembly, communicated to the Government of the Turkish

I think, therefore, the time has come to suggest Rlepublic, and its reply, as soon as received, will bethat we should modify the terms of the proposal circulated to the delegations of the Members of theand convert it into a resolution of the Assembly. Assembly. We shall then have to frame a final

I would propose the following wording: resolution, which will be submitted to the Assemblyshortly.

The Assembly, I suggest that you instruct the Bureau, whenNoting that the Turkish Republic satisfies the the Turkish Government's reply has been received,

general conditions laid down in Article 1, para- to prepare a draft resolution. The Assembly willgraph 2, of the Covenant concerning the admission be convened again, and I would propose Monday,of new Members to the League of Nations : July 18th, as the date of the next meeting.

Decides to invite the Turkish Republic to become The President's proposals were adopted.a Member of the League of Nations and to affordthe League its valuable co-operation; The Assembly rose at 11.35 a.m.

EIGHTH PLENARY MEETING

Monday, July 18th, 1932, at 3.30 p.m.

CONTENTS. to the Turkish Government, to examine the latter'sreply and to frame a draft resolution to be submitted

ENTRY OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC INTO THE LEAGUE to the Assembly.OF NATIONS.

Draft Resolution proposed by the Bureau. On July 9th, the following letter was addressedVERIFICATION OF THE CREDENTLS OF THE MEMBERS by the Turkish Government to the Secretary-

OF IIE TURKISH ECREDENTIO.ALS OF THE General of the League of Nations:OF THE TURKISH DELEGATION.Report of the Committee on Credentials.

"In reply to the invitation which youWELCOME TO THE TURKISH DELEGATION . tWELCOME TO THE TURKISH DELtransmitted to me on behalf of the Assembly, IPOSTPONEMENT OF THE THIRTEENTH ORDIN.XRY SESSION have the honour to inform you that the Turkish

OF THE ASISENBLY. Republic is prepared to become a Member of theDraft Resolution proposed by the Bureau. League of Nations and that the obligations

__~~~————-------~- _ assumed by Turkey under the Treaties concludedhitherto, including those concluded with States

President: ̂M. H-YMTANS. waIznon-members of the League of Nations, are in noway incompatible with the duties of a Memberof the League of Nations. In this connection,ENTRY OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC INTO I would point out that all the Treaties signed

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS: DRAFT before the admission of Turkey have beenRESOLUTION PROPOSED BY THE concluded in the spirit of the Pact of Paris, toBUREAU. which the majority of the Members of the League

of Nations are also signatories.The President :

T' In making this declaration, it is my duty toTranslation: The first item on our agenda add that Turkey is in a special position as a

is the examination by the Assembly of a resolution consequence of military obligations ensuing fromproposed by the Bulreau concerning the entry the Conventions signed at Lausanne on Julyproposed by the Bureau concerning the entryof the Turkish Republic into the League of Nations. 24th, 1923.

At its last meeting on July 6th, the Assembly, you "Such being the case, I desire to recall thewill remember, adopted a resolution inviting the terms of the Note which was signed by theTurkish Republic to become a Member of the representatives of Belgium, France, the BritishLeague. The Assembly left it to me, as its President, Empire, Italy, Poland and Czechoslovakia onand to the Bureau to communicate that resolution December 1st, 1925, and which was quoted

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by the German Government in its letter of VERIFICATION OF THE CREDENTIALS OF THEFebruary 8th, 1926, to the Secretary-General MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH DELEGA-concerning the admission of Germany to the TION: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ONLeague of Nations. The last paragraph of that CREDENTIALS.Note read as follows:

"' The obligations resulting from the said The President:article (Article 16) on the Members of the Translation * In order that the representatives ofLeague must be understood to mean that each the Turkish Republic might be enabled to take partc-pState Member of the Leagueyll insbunot in the proceedings of this Assembly, I had requestedco-operate loyally and effectively in support the Committee on Credentials to be good enoughof the Covenant and in resistance to any act of t examine the credentials of the members of theaggression to an extent which is compatible Turkish delegation. I call upon the Chairman of thewith its military situation and takes its Committee on Credentials, M. de Aguero y

Committee on Credentials, M. de Aguiero ygeographical position into account.' Bethancourt, to present the Committee's report.

(Signed) Tevfik RuSTUJ,'"Minister for Foreign Affairs." ^M. de Agiiero y Betharneourt (Cuba), Chairman

and Rapporteur of the Committee on Credentials:The Bureau therefore met on July 10th, under thehe Commiee appoined by the

chairmanship of M. Motta, whom I have to thank flylto he omittee aoted tefor so kindly acting for me in my absence. After to examine the credentials of delegatestaking note of the Turkish Government's reply, met again at the League of Nations Secretariatthe Bureau framed the following draft resolution at 3 p.m. on Monday, uly 18th, 1932, to examine

on which I am now going to ask the Assembly tothe credentials of the representatives of Turkey,vote: authorising them to take part in the proceedings

of the Special Session of the Assembly.Whereas the Turkish Government has accepted The Secretary-General of the League has

the Assembly's invitation to it to become a Member transmitted to us the following telegram, whichof the League of Nations; he received to-day from 3[.E. Tevfik Rustu Bey,

And whereas it is established that the Turkish Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs:Republic fulflils the conditions laid down inArticle I of the Covenant: "In view of the invitation addressed to Turkey

roceThe Assembly, oby the Special Session of the Assembly to becomeDecard thatyj mi a Member of the League of Nations, which

Declares that the Turkish Republc is cadmitted invitation the Turkish Republic has accepted,to membership of the League of Nations, and I have the honour to inform you that, in

Invites its representatives to take part in the anticipation of Turkey's admission, Cemal Hfisniiproceedings of the present session of the Assembly. Bey, Turkish Minister at Berne, and Necmettin

Sadik Bey, member of the Turkish GrandThe discussion on this proposal is now open. National Assembly, have been given full powersAs no one wishes to speak, we will now proceed to by the Government of the Republic to represent

vote. Under the terms of Article 1 of the Covenant, it at the aforesaid session of the Assembly."any State which applies for admission to the Leagueof Nations may become a Member if its admission I desire also to direct the Assembly's attentionis agreed to by two-thirds of the Assembly. to another telegram transmitted to the Committee

A vote by roll-call will now be taken. by the Secretary-General on July 16th, which(A vote was taken by roll-call.) reads as follows:

The following delegations voted in favour of the have the honour to inform you, in mydraft resolution: telegram of to-day's date. that Cemal Hiisnii Bey

Union of South Africa, Albania, Austria and Necmettin Sadik Bey have been instructedBelgium, Bolivia, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, by the Government of the Republic to represent

it at the Special Session of the Assembly on theCanada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czecho- aan of the Assembly on theslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, occasion of the entry of urey into the LeaueFinland, France, Germany, Greece Hungary, of Nations. I desire to express to you my

India, Irish Free State, Italy, Japan, Latvia, regret that I am unable personally to attendLiberia, Luxemburg, pMe xico Netherlands, this session, together with the Minister for theNew Zealand, Norway, Panama, Persia, Poland, Interior, owing to the latter's indisposition andPortugal, Roumania, Siam, Spain, Sweden, to the lack of time necessary for the journey,Switzerland, Venezuela, Yugoslavia. although, under the terms of the decision of the

Council of Ministers, the Turkish delegationconsists of the four Ministers mentioned above."

The Presidentt:

Translation: The results of the voting are as After having examined these telegrams, the

Turkish Republic is adm d Turkey were duly accredi ted to tak e part in theumof th ber of States ioresents, 43. work of the special session o f the ssembly.uthe Assemberly in of State voting in fayour of the

reaolutions: 43.The President:

The resolution is therefore unanimously adopted.I duly declare it adopted and proclaim that the Tra.~lcatioon': o observation having been sub-Turkish Republic is admitted to membership mitted, I declare the report adopted and requestof the League of Nations. the delegates of the Turkish Republic to do us

I shall, I think, be interpreting the feelings of the honour of taking their places among us.the Assembly in offering Turkey our heartycongratulations. The report of the Committee teas adopted.

-- 23 -

WELCOME TO THE TURKISH DELEGATION. Nations was examined, unanimously expressed theirfeeling of cordiality towards the Turkish Republic.

The President: Those generous manifestations of friendship, I amTran.lation: I desire to extend a welcome to happy to state, awoke a heartfelt response in the

the distinguished representatives of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, when Tevfik Rustu Bey,Republic. This is not the first occasion on which the Minister for Foreign Affairs, informed thewe have met the delegates of Turkey at international representatives of the Turkish people of themeetings convened by the League of Nations. invitation addressed to the Government of theThey have contributed zealously and usefully Republic and of the circumstances under which itto the proceedings of the Commission of Enquiry had been extended.for European Union and to those of the Disarma-ment Conference. In accepting the invitation I must pay a warm tribute to Sir Eric Drummond,addressed to it, the Turkish Government has the distinguished Secretary-General, who, by reasonsolemnly attested its feeling of solidarity and its of his rare qualities and his unwavering devotionreadiness to co-operate. Turkey takes her place to the ideal of peace and concord among the nations,as an equal in a family of States which, above is deserving of the esteem and gratitude of thoseand beyond all political differences, memories of who are united in their determination to achievehistoric conflicts, clashes of character and tempera- the noble objects to which mankind aspires.ment, is united by a supreme desire to banishmeasures of violence, to settle disputes by pacificmeans, to reconcile interests, to draw nations When speaking of the peaceful aspirations of thenearer one to another, and to inaugurate a system nations of the world, instinctively I pay a tribute ofof order and justice. admiration and gratitude to the memory of that

Turkey constitutes at one extremity of Europe great man whose compelling voice and eloquenta particular form, a particular conception, a parti- phrase I still seem to hear in the Council room,cular expression of civilisation. After experiencing where we shall never see him again - a man firedhard trials, she has achieved great reforms in her by the noblest of ideals, the ideal of peace.internal administration, in her social customsand in her institutions. In the material sphere, she As I recall the vivid personality of Aristidehas performed acts which reveal her energy. In Briand, I am moved to associate with his name thatorder to create for herself a new capital, she has of the distinguished American statesman who, bybuilt a city. She is asserting her personality. a happy coincidence, was present at the meetingHer presence among us will be an added source at which you decided to invite Turkey to enter theof strength to the League of Nations. League and who, with that other faithful servant of

Turkey will find in the Covenant rights and gua- peace, was the promoter and author of the workrantees ensuing from mutual help and collaboration with which the grateful nations associate theirbetween the peoples. TWe have noted with keen names. The charter which mankind, rendered wisersatisfaction the assurance, embodied by the Turkish by the most terrible of wars, set up for itself and toGovernment in its reply to our invitation, that the validity of which I refuse to set any limit -the Treaties which Turkey has concluded involve the Briand-Kellogg Pact -has given birth to ano obligations in any way incompatible with those noble and powerful international ideal in which weof a Member of the League. That statement have placed our dearest hopes.affords us a certainty that Turkey will fulfil theduties which she has freely assumed, that she willfulfil them honourably and with that fidelity Those hopes, we are convinced, can only bewhich characterises a proud and vigorous nation realised if this ideal of peace becomes so general aswith a past which goes far back in history. to take root for ever in the conscience of the masses.

The accession of the Turkish Republic is an The League of Nations has at its disposal the veryevent of happy augury for the future of the League, means of achieving this, thanks to the numerousa further step towards universality, a guarantee meetings which it organises, some of which areof union and of peace. In the new world which, restricted to its Members, while others, like theduring more than ten years, has been growing up Disarmament Conference, are of a more generalin the midst of difficulties, excitement and unrest, character. These meetings, which would undoub-the League of Nations forms a stable element, tedly gain much by becoming even more represen-an element of unity. It has created an inter- tative of the nations of the world, will secure for thenational life, methods, habits, ideals and an spirit of peace, which is implicit in the Pact andinternational spirit. What is called " the spirit which must be our principal concern, the partof Geneva " is a spirit compounded of confidence, that it is intended to play in our decisions and thusloyalty and friendship. Such are the feelings enable us to shape political events in conformitywhich we extend to our new colleagues, the repre- with this new and saner outlook.sentatives of Turkey; such are the feelings towhich I desire, on behalf of all the delegation, ns tonal collborion in

7 * . 1 . n Turkey considers international collaboration ingive sincere and cordial expression.give sincere and cordial expression. and for peace to be the sublime ideal and desires tocontribute to the achievement of that ideal to the

Cemal Hiisnii Bey (Turkey): utmost of her powers. She thus regards herTrans.lation: M r. President, allow me to thank collaboration in the work of the Assembly, to which

you sincerely for having given me an opportunity you have done her the honour of inviting her, asof expressing myself on this, the first occasion on furnishing a signal opportunity of demonstratingwhich I have addressed the Assembly as represen- purpose. She sees also in the invitationtative of a country henceforth to be numbered addressed to her a cordial expression of the generalamong its Members. I should be failing in my duty approval of her policy of peace.if I did not, on behalf of my Government, once morethank you for your kind words addressed to my The Turkish delegation, as it takes its placecountry, words which moved us profoundly, and among you, recalls the wise and profound maxim ofalso the delegations of all the States which, one of the great sons of this hospitable city:at the meetings on July 1st and 6th, when " There is no surer way of winning the affectionthe question of Turkey's entry into the League of of others than by offering them one's own".

24 -

POSTPONEMENT OF THE THIRTEENTH all consideration of such items shall, unlessORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY: otherwise ordered by a two-thirds majority of theDRAFT RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY THE Assembly, be postponed until four days afterBUREAU. they have been placed on the agenda, and until a

committee has reported upon them."The President: Consequently, the Assembly will either referTranslation: The attention of the Bureau was the proposal to a committee and will postpone its

called, at its last meeting, to the general wish on consideration until four days after the questionthe part of the delegations at Geneva that the has been placed on the agenda or it will decide by aopening of the ordinary session of the Assembly two-thirds majority to examine the questionin September should be postponed for two or three immediately.weeks. As no one desires to submit any observation, I

Under Rule 1, paragraph 1, of its Rules of take it that the required majority has been obtainedProcedure, the Assembly should meet this year and that the Assembly is unanimously of opinionin ordinary session on September 5th, and it has, that the question should be examined immediately.in fact, been convened by the President-in-Office I hereby open the discussion on the draftof the Council in conformity with that Rule. resolution submitted by the Bureau.

The reasons strongly advanced in various quartersare based, on the one hand, on what appears to me M. de Madariaqa (Spain):to be the legitimate desire of many of the delegates, Translation: I accept the proposal to postponewho have been kept in Geneva for months and have the Assembly, but I should like to ask the Bureauto return to their own countries to consult their explain the reasons for its choice of a date.Governments, and, on the other hand, on the over- Personally, I consider that a longer adjournmentstrain involved, both for members of the ns would be better. any of the delegationses would beand for members of the Secretariat, by the intensive glad to be able to remain in their own countries awork which has continued uninterruptedly since little longer in view of the delay in concluding thethe beginning of the year. work of the first session of the Disarmament

In view of these considerations, the Bureau Conference.discussed the question whether it would not be I therefore propose an amendment to the effectexpedient for the Assembly, at its special session, that the next Assembly be convened only forto modify the convocation issued by the President- September 26th. I shall, however, be prepared toin-Office of the Council and to decide to fix a later agree to the 19h if the Assembly decides in favourdate for the opening of the ordinary session. o that date

The Bureau was of opinion that, if the Assembly,during this present session, either unanimously or The President:at least by a large majority, expressed itself infavour of this course, the decision could be taken in Transltion: I would not suggest that M. dethe regular way rand with the minimum of Madariaga's question is an indiscreet one, but Ithe regular way and with the minimum offormalities. understand that the reason for proposing that the

The first formality to be complied with is the ordinary session of the Assembly should openinclusion of the question and of the Bureau's on September 19th was simply because a fort-proposal in the agenda of the present meeting. As night's adjournment seemed reasonable.you are aware, under Rule 4 of the Rules of There is, however, another reason. The Pre-Procedure, the Assembly may, in exceptional sident of the Disarmament Conference was consulted,circumstances, place additional items on the agenda. and the 19th would, he thought, suit him per-

The draft resolution, framed by the Bureau, C r T e t me t b soundThe draft resolution, framed by the Bureau, sonally and suit the work of the Bureau of thewhich I have to submit to you reads as follows: Conference. Those eem to me to be sound

reasons. I have been given to understand thatThe Assembly, they are really at the root of the Bureau's proposal,Considering that circumstances make it desirableso that the latter is not entirely arbitrary. It was

to postpone its thirteenth ordinary session, con- prompted by certain considerations which, youvened in accordance with Rule I, paragraph 1, will agree, are reasonable.of the Rules of Procedure: . Politis (reece):

Decides to postpone until September 19th nextthe opening of the thirteenth ordinary session; ranslation: I desire, for two reasns, to support

P e o t M. de Madariaga's proposal. In the first place,Accordingly requests the President of the onc personally prefer three weeks' adjournment

to be good enough to take such action as may be t two.considered expedient, with a view to modifying In the second place, the President of the Disarma-the original convocation in conformity with the ment Conference had, I believe, contemplatedAssembly's decision. beginning the work of the Bureau on September 19th

The Assembly must therefore first decide to or 20th, because the 19th was suggested for theplace this question and the draft resolution on its opening of the Assembly. If it is decided that theagenda. Assembly shall open on September 26th, I do not

As no one desires to submit any observation, I think that the President of the Disarmamenttake it that the Assembly agrees to place this Conference would have any serious objection toquestion on the agenda. the Bureau's postponing its meeting until the same

date.Agreed. I believe there is one rather important reason for

The President: adjournment, which has already been mentioned.I refer to the desirability of giving a longer break

Translation: There is a second formality to be to those delegates who, since February, have beencomplied with if the Assembly desires to examine fixtures at Geneva and who will be required tothis question immediately. Rule 4, paragraph 4, of spend many more months here after the Assembly.the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly reads as Without insisting on their natural desire to havefollows: a rest, it would, I think, be desirable to give

"The Assembly may, in exceptional circum- them a possibility to confer in person with theirstances, place additional items on the agenda; but Governments.

- 25

M. de Agiiero y Bethaneourt (Cuba): The simplest procedure, in the circumstances,will be to consider that we have before us a definite

Translation: M. de Madariaga's p al, proposal - namely to substitute, whichin the drafthas been strongly supported by the delegate of resolution, "September 26th "for "September 19th".Greece, constitutes an amendment to the Bureau'sproposal, and we should, I think, vote first on this I il put that proposal to the vote.amendment. The proposal that the opening of the ordinary

session of the Assembly be fixed for September 26thThe President: was adopted by 30 votes to 8.

Translation: M. de Agiiero y Bethancourt's Subject to the above amendment, the draftobservation is strictly in order. If a vote is to be resolution proposed by the Bureau was adopted.taken, the amendment must of course be dealtwith first, provided there is an amendment. The Assembly rose at 4.45 p.m.

26

ANNEXES.

I. GENERAL SITUATION IN THE SHANGHAI AREA

A.(Extr.).115.1932.VII.

1. LETTER, DATED MAY 6TH, 1932, FROM THE CHINESE DELEGATION

TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Ref. A.34.Geneva, May 6th, 1932.

I have the honour to communicate herewith to you the following telegram, datedMay 5th, which I have just received from my Government, and shal. be grateful if youwill circulate it among the Members of the Assembly:

" In the afternoon of May 3rd, Japanese soldiers crossed the barbed wire nearthe Wuchen Road Bridge (in the western section of the International Settlement)and stabbed a number of our civilians, seven of whom were seriously injured and hadto be sent to hospital. Settlement police and American troops hurried to the scene,and Japanese soldiers eventually withdrew to Chapel. Residents in the districtwere panic-stricken."

(Signed) W. W. YEN.

A.(Extr.).116.1932.VII.

2. LETTER, DATED MAY 8TH, 1932, FROM THE JAPANESE DELEGATION

TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Ref. 89/1932.

[Translation.] Geneva, May 8th, 1932.

With reference to the Chinese communication, document A.(Extr.).115.1932.VII,of May 6th,l I have the honour to inform you that I received the following informationsome days ago:

For some time past, the Chinese mob has been sheltering behind the trenches madeby the American marines to the south of the Wuchen bridge (on the right bank of theSoochow river), and have been throwing stones at the Japanese sentries posted on the northbank. An enquiry by the Municipal Council Police into the matter had been proceeding.

On May 3rd, at 6.30 p.m., some 300 Chinese indulged in further provocations,throwing stones at the marines. The latter, their patience being exhausted, sent somethirty men, without rifles, to disperse the crowd. Blows were exchanged; but no Chinesewas severely injured.

The Chinese having, after their manner, circulated exaggerated reports in regardto this incident, the Japanese Consulate-General published a communique' reporting theexact facts.

On the same evening, at 11 p.m., Japanese sentries posted to the south of theTatung road at Chapei, challenged a group of Chinese, who fled in the direction of theSoochow river, where they offered armed resistance to their pursuers without obeyingthe summons of the latter. The marines opened fire, and several Chinese were hit.

As you will observe, there is no question of an " attack " on unoffending civilians,as the Chinese communication would suggest.

(Signed) H. NAGAOKA,

Japanese Representativeon the Council of the League.

1 See above.

- 27

II. CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE SHANGHAI AREA.

C.425.M.230.1932.VII.

1. LETTER, DATED MAY 5TH, 1932, FROM THE JAPANESE DELEGATIONNOTIFYING THE CONCLUSION, ON MAY 5TH, 1932, OF THE SINO-JAPANESE MILITARY AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE DEFINITIVECESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AT SHANGHAI.

Ref. 87/1932.

[Translation.] Geneva, May 5th, 1932.

I have the honour to inform you that the Sino-Japanese military agreement concerningthe definitive cessation of hostilities at Shanghai (English text) was officially concludedon May 5th, 1932, at 1.20 p.m. (local time). As M. Shigemitsu, Japanese Minister, had toundergo a serious operation in the afternoon, the instrument was brought to him forsignature in the morning by Chinese, British and Japanese representatives.

(Signed) S. SAWADA,

For the Representative of Japanon the Council of the League of Nations.

C.501.M.242.1932.VII.

2. TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE DEFINITIVE CESSATIONOF HOSTILITIES AT SHANGHAI, CONCLUDED ON MAY 5TH, 1932.

Ref. 92/1932.

Article I.

The Japanese and Chinese authorities having already ordered to cease fire, it isagreed that the cessation of hostilities is rendered definite as from May 5th, 1932. Theforces of the two sides will, so far as lies in their control, cease around Shanghai all andevery form of hostile act. In the event of doubts arising in regard to the cessation ofhostilities, the situation in this respect will be ascertained by the representatives of theparticipating friendly Powers.

Article II.

The Chinese troops will remain in their present positions pending later arrangementsupon the re-establishment of normal conditions in the areas dealt with by this Agreement.The aforesaid positions are indicated in Annex I to this Agreement.

Article III.

The Japanese troops will withdraw to the International Settlement and the extra-Settlement roads in the Hongkew district as before the incident of January 28th, 1932.It is, however, understood that, in view of the numbers of Japanese troops to beaccommodated, some will have to be temporarily stationed in localities adjacent to theabove-mentioned areas. The aforesaid localities are indicated in Annex II to thisAgreement.

Article IV.

A Joint Commission, including members representing the participating friendlyPowers, will be established to certify the mutual withdrawal. This Commission willalso collaborate in arranging for the transfer of the occupied zones from the evacuatingJapanese forces to the incoming Chinese police, who will take over as soon as theJapanese forces withdraw. The constitution and procedure of this Commission will beas defined in Annex III to this Agreement.

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Article V.

The present Agreement shall come into force on the day of signature thereof.The present Agreement is made in the Japanese and Chinese and English languages.

In the event of there being any doubts as to the meaning or any differences of meaningbetween the Japanese and Chinese and English texts, the English text shall be authoritative.

DONE at Shanghai, this fifth day of May, nineteen hundred and thirty-two,

[Japanese and Chinese signatures.]

In the presence of:[Signatures of foreign Heads of Mission.]

Representatives of the friendly Powers assistingin the negotiations in accordance with theresolution of the Assembly of the Leagueof Nations of March 4th, 1932.

ANNEX I.

The following are the positions of the Chinese troops as provided in Article II ofthis Agreement.

[Reference: the attached Postal Map of the Shanghai district; scale: 1/150,000.]From a point on the Soochow creek due south of Anting village north along the west

bank of a creek immediately east of Anting village to Wang-hsien-ch'iao, thence northacross a creek to a point four kilometres east of Shatow, and thence north-west up toand including Hu-pei-kou on the Yangtze River.

In the event of doubts arising in regard thereto, the positions in question will, uponthe request of the Joint Commission, be ascertained by the representatives of theparticipating friendly Powers, members of the Joint Commission.

ANNEX II.

The following are the localities as provided in Article III of this Agreement.[The aforesaid localities are outlined on the attached maps marked A, B, C and D.

They are referred to as areas 1, 2, 3 and 4.]Area 1 is shown on Map "A ". It is agreed (1) that this area excludes Woosung

village, (2) that the Japanese will not interfere with the operation of the Shanghai-WoosungRailway or its workshops.

Area 2 is shown on Map " B " It is agreed that the Chinese cemetery about one milemore or less to the north-east of the International race track is excluded from the areato be used by the Japanese troops.

Area 3 is shown on Map "C ". It is agreed that this area excludes the Chinese villageT'sao Chia Chai and the Sanyu Cloth Factory.

Area 4 is shown on Map "D ". It is agreed that the area to be used includes theJapanese cemetery and eastward approaches thereto.

In the event of doubts arising in regard thereto, the localities in question will, uponthe request of the Joint Commission, be ascertained by the representatives of theparticipating friendly Powers, members of the Joint Commission.

The withdrawal of the Japanese troops to the localities indicated above will becommenced within one week of the coming into force of the Agreement and will be completedin four weeks from the commencement of the withdrawal.

The Joint Commission to be established under Article IV will make any necessaryarrangements for the care and subsequent evacuation of any invalids or injured animalsthat cannot be withdrawn at the time of the evacuation. These may be detained at theirpositions together with the necessary medical personnel. The Chinese authorities willgive protection to the above.

ANNEX III.

The Joint Commission will be composed of twelve members - namely, one civilian andone military representative of each of the following : the Japanese and Chinese Governments,and the American, British, French and Italian Heads of Mission in China, being therepresentatives of the friendly Powers assisting in the negotiations in accordance with theresolution of the Assembly of the League of Nations of March 4th. The members of theJoint Commission will employ such numbers of assistants as they may from time to timefind necessary in accordance with the decisions of the Commission. All matters ofprocedure will be left to the discretion of the Commission, whose decisions will be takenby majority vote, the Chairman having a casting vote. The Chairman will be electedby the Commission from amongst the members representing the participating friendlyPowers.

The Commission will, in accordance with its decisions, watch in such manner as it deemsbest the carrying out of Articles I, II and III of this Agreement, and is authorised to callattention to any neglect in the carrying out of the provisions of any of the three articlesmentioned above.

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III. WITHDRAWAL OF THE JAPANESE TROOPS TO THE INTER-NATIONAL SETTT E EXR-TTL EMENTROADS IN THE HONGKEW DISTRICT.

C.441.M.232.1932.VII.

1. LETTER, DATED MAY 8TH, 1932, FROM THE JAPANESE DELEGATIONTO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Ref. 90/1932.

[Translation.] Geneva, May 8th, 1932.

I have the honour to inform you that the main Japanese forces began their withdrawalon May 6th east of the line Ssutzulin-Yanghang-Tazang-Chenzu.

In order to facilitate the Mixed Commission's task and the transfer to the Chinesepolice, detachments will be left provisionally to ensure the maintenance of public orderat the following points:

Liuho: One battalion of infantry.Kating: One battalion of infantry.Nanziang: One battalion of infantry.Lotien: One battalion of infantry, one battery of artillery.

The period for which the above-mentioned troops are to be stationed at these pointsis three days.

The subsequent plan of withdrawal communicated to the Mixed Commission isas follows:

(1) Withdrawal from the line Liuho-Kating-Nanziang;(2) Withdrawal from Lotien;(3) Withdrawal of the last detachments from the line Ssutzulin-Yanghang-

Tazang-Chenzu.

The first of these movements will begin at 1 p.m. on May 9th, and the second on thefollowing day (May 10th) at noon.

(Signed) H. NAGAOKA,Japanese Representative on the Council

of the League of Nations.

C.461.M.236.1932.VII.

2. TELEGRAM, DATED MAY 13TH, 1932, RECEIVEDBY THE JAPANESE DELEGATION.

Ref. 88/1932.[Translation.]

SITUATION AT SHANGHAI.

On May 11th, the Japanese War Ministry issued a statement to the effect that, inview of the conclusion of the Agreement of May 5th and the active part taken by therepresentatives of the friendly Powers in restoring normal conditions, all the Japaneseland forces at present at Shanghai will shortly be withdrawn. The troops of the 14thDivision have already begun to be transferred to Manchuria; the other troops will returnto Japan.

C.505.M.247.1932.VII.

3. LETTER, DATED JUNE 1ST, 1932, FROM THE JAPANESE DELEGATIONTO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIOlNS.

Ref. 93/1932.

[Translation.] Geneva, June 1st, 1932.

I have the honour to inform you that the whole of the Japanese land forces sent toShanghai have been withdrawn from that town and its neighbourhood and brought backto Japan. This withdrawal was completed on May 31st.

(Signed) S. SAWADA,Director of the Japanese League of

Nations Bureau.

- 30 -

C.520.M.258.1932.VII.

4. LETTER, DATED JUNE 15TH, 1932, FROM THE JAPANESE DELEGATIONTO THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Ref. 94/1932.[Translation.] Geneva, June 15th, 1932.

I have the honour to inform you that, the Municipal Council of the InternationalSettlement having raised the state of siege at Shanghai on June 13th, the Japaneseauthorities have intimated to the Chinese authorities and the Mixed Committee appointedunder the Agreement of May 5th, that they were prepared to hand over to the Chineseauthorities, as soon as the latter were in a position to undertake their protection, thoseparts of the sector which were assigned to the Japanese forces under the joint plan of defenceaid are situated to the east of tie Woosung railway line and outside the roads of theExtension. The necessary steps having been taken jointly with the Chinese authoritieson June 16th, the pickets of Japanese marines will be withdrawn from these parts of thesector on the morning of the 17th.

(Signed) H. NAGAOKA,Japanese Representative to the Council

of the League of Nations.

C.407.M.225.1932.VII.

IV. PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRYAPPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LEAGUE IN ITSRESOLUTION OF DECEMBER 10TH, 1931. 1

Mukden, April 30th, 1932.

1. Commission of Enquiry appointed in conformity with paragraph 5 of Councilresolution of December 10th arrived at Mukden April 21st and is now occupied with itsinvestigations on the spot. Since its arrival in the Far East, the Commission hasinvestigated general conditions prevailing in Japan and China in so far as may affect itswork. It visited Tokio, Osaka, Shanghai, Nanking, Hankow, Tientsin and Peiping, conferredwith members of both Governments, and interviewed representatives of many interestedg oups and classes in both countries. In Peiping, it met representative authorities whohad been in charge of three north-eastern provinces prior to September 18th. Sincearriving at Mukden, the Commission has interviewed, amongst others, Acting Consul-General of Japan and General Honjo, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Forces inManchuria.

Declaration of the President of the Council with reference to Council resolution ofDecember 10th directed the Commission to submit to the Council as soon as possible afterits arrival on the spot a preliminary report on the existing situation in so far as this affectsfulfilment or otherwise by the Governments of China and Japan of certain undertakingsembodied in Council resolution of September 30th and reiterated in Council resolution ofDecember 10th. These undertakings are:

(a) That the Japanese Government " will continue as rapidly as possible with-drawal of its troops into the Manchurian Railway zone in proportion as safety of thelives and property of Japanese nationals is effectively assured ";

(b) That the Chinese Government "will assume responsibility for the safety ofthe lives and property of Japanese nationals outside that zone as the withdrawal ofthe Japanese troops continues and the Chinese local authorities and police are re-established ";

(c) That both Governments "will take all necessary steps to prevent anyextension of scope of the incidents or any aggravation of the situation "

The Commission is not yet in a position to submit full information on these three points.It must reserve for later report the consideration of the undertakings of both parties " toprevent any extension of the scope of the incidents or any aggravation of the situation ",but, as the Council is awaiting an early report on the existing situation in so far as it bearson the undertakings of Japan and China, referred to above under (a) and (b), the followinginformation is transmitted.

2. ACTUAL SITUATION IN MANCHURIA.

Information regarding military situation in the three north-eastern provinces has beenprovided by Japanese military authorities. It is given under five headings, the first threerelating to Japanese troops and other forces co-operating with them, the last two relatingto forces opposed to them. Information with regard to fourth heading has also beenobtained from a Chinese source.

1 See Official Journal, December 1931, page 2374.

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It will be noted that, in the classification adopted, a new feature appears which wasnot contemplated by the Council in September last. In the course of the events whichare the subject of the present enquiry, the local administration was transformed." Committees for the preservation of peace and order " were first established with Japanesehelp in the last month of 1931. These were subsequently superseded by an authority whichwas established on March 9th, 1932, as the " Manchukuo Government " This explanationis necessary in order to account for use of expression " Manchukuo Army "by the Japanesemilitary authorities.

I. Japanese Regular Forces.

On September 18th, the numbers of Japanese troops in the South Manchurian Railwayzone is stated to have been 10,590. Numbers given for the first part of December are:4,000 inside and 8,900 outside South Manchurian Railway zone, making a total of 12,900.

For the latter part of April, the numbers are given as 6,600 inside and 15,800 outsidethe South Manchurian Railway zone in the region of Tsitsihar-Taonan-Liaoyuang Railway,Mukden-Shanhaikwan Railway, Chinese Eastern Railway (east of Harbin), and the northernsector of the Kirin-Tunhua Railway, making a total of 22,400.

II. " Manchukuo Army."

Troops designated by the Japanese military authorities as the "Manchukuo Army"are said to have been formed partly of Chinese regular troops stationed in Manchuria beforeSeptember 18th, and subsequently reorganised, and partly of freshly recruited soldiers.This force has been created with the help of Japanese military authorities. Many Japaneseofficers, either retired or still belonging to Japanese Army, have been engaged as militaryadvisers, and their number is increasing. Contracts with some of these officers have beenmade for one year. A Japanese officer has been appointed adviser to the "Departmentof Defence of the Manchukuo Government" at Changchun.

These troops are stationed or operating chiefly in the region Mukden-Changchun-Taonan-Tsitsihar-Tunhua and along Chinese Eastern Railway, particularly on the easternbranch, where they are engaged against forces not recognising the authority of the " Man-chukuo Government ". Total number of the " Manchukuo Army "is stated to have been85,000 men at the end of March. Actual number is not reliable owing to uncertainty ofthe information regarding these troops at the present time.

III. Local Police Force.

The number of this force is given as about 119,000, of whom 60,000 are local guards.This police force is stated to be, in the main, a continuation of that existing on September 18th.Its reorganisation is taking place with the help of Japanese officials.

IV. Forces opposed to Japanese Troops and the " Manchukuo Army ".

The Commission was informed in Peiping by General Chang Hsueh-liang that forcesoutside the Great Wall on September 18th, including non-fighting elements, numbered60,000 for Fengtien Province, 80,000 for Kirin Province, and 50,000 for Heilungkiang,making a total of 190,000, of which about 50,000 from Fengtien Province were subsequentlywithdrawn inside Wall. This would leave 140,000 outside Wall.

Japanese military authorities give the number of troops now remaining outside theWall as 110,000, of which they state that 60,000 joined the " Manchukuo Army ", 30,000remained in north-east of Kirin in opposition to Japanese troops and to " ManchukuoArmy ", and about 20,000 may have joined the so-called Volunteer Corps. The situationis described by them as follows:

A. Portion of former Chinese army not recognising the authority of the " Man-chukuo Government":

(1) Forces north-east of Harbin, estimated at 30,000 (stated officially bythe Chinese to be composed of Kirin Self-Defence Army, under the command ofGeneral Li Tu, and of the Chinese Eastern Railway Guards, under the commandof General Ting).

(2) A force under General Li iui Cheng in the region north-west of Mukden,estimated at 10,000.

(3) Remnant of nine cavalry brigades, on the north-eastern frontier ofChengteh, estimated at 3,000.

32

B. Volunteers:

(1) The so-called North-Eastern Army of anti-Japanese volunteers in thewestern part of Fengtien Province, mainly south of Chinchow, estimated atbetween 15,000 and 25,000 men.

(2) The so-called National Volunteer Army of the north-east, under thecommand of Wu Chin Tsin, mainly operating around Mukden. The presentstrength of this force, which has had several encounters with the Japanese troops,is unknown.

(3) The Volunteer Army of Chengteh. This comparatively well-disciplinedbody of some 3,000 men, under the command of Tang Yu Lin, which comprisesremnants of the cavalry of General Chang Hsueh-liang's first and second armies,is reported to be active on the borders of Chengtehfu and Fengtien Provinces.

(4) Several minor volunteer corps north-west, partly in the Shanhaikwanregion, partly between Tunhua and Tienpaoshan, where they are in touch withregular forces hostile to the " Manchukuo Government ".

The total strength of these irregular forces mentioned under (1) to (4) is said tobe about 40,000.

(5) Bandits: The bandits, who are not organised primarily for politicalpurposes, appear to have increased in number, due to the disturbed conditions.They are reported by the Japanese to be scattered throughout Manchuria,especially in the part south of the Chinese Eastern Railway. The Japaneseestimate their total number as 40,000. In addition to these, a special banditforce of 12,000 north and east of the town of Kirin are said to be co-operatingwith the Chinese forces north-east of Harbin mentioned under A (1).

Armed conflicts between these various forces are frequent. There are bandit raids;attempts of the Japanese soldiers and of the " Manchukuo Government " troops to suppressthem; and fighting between the various military forces attempting to maintain the newregime and those opposed to it. The result is loss of life, destruction of property, andgeneral sense of insecurity.

3. The Commission purposely refrains from commenting at this stage of the factsand figures above recorded. The Japanese authorities maintain that they cannot at presentwithdraw their troops without endangering the " safety of the lives and property of theirnationals " outside the railway zone. They appear to consider that this withdrawal mustdepend on the progress of the reorganisation of the troops described as the " ManchukuoGovernment Army ". The Chinese Government does not now exercise authority in anypart of Manchuria, and, as events have developed recently, the practical question of thefulfilment of its responsibilities has not arisen. The possible and equitable measures whichmay restore peace and security and create a reasonable measure of goodwill throughoutManchuria will be considered by the Commission in its final report.

The Commission will visit Changchun next week, and then continue its investigationsin other parts of Manchuria.

(Signed) LYTTON (Chairman of Commission),ALDROVANDI,

CLAUDEL,

McCoy,

SCHNEE.

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C.427.M.231.1932.VII.

V. MEMORANDUM FROM THE CHINESE DELEGATION CONCERNINGTHE PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OFENQUIRY APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL IN ITS RESOLUTIONOF DECEMBER 10TH, 1931.

lef.A.33. Geneva, May 4th, 1932.

The Commission of Enquiry, appointed in conformity with paragraph 5 of the Councilresolution of December 10th, has now submitted a preliminary report with reference " tothe existing situation in so far as this affects fulfilment or otherwise by the Governmentsof China and Japan of certain undertakings embodied in Council resolution ofSeptember 30th and reiterated in Council resolution of December 10th ", as enjoined bythe President in a declaration which he made on the adoption of the resolution ofDecember 10th.

The undertaking which the Japanese Government undertook to fulfil in the above-mentioned resolutions was that it " will continue as rapidly as possible withdrawal of itstroops into the Manchurian Railway zone in proportion as safety of the lives and propertyof Japanese nationals is effectively assured ".

The undertaking which the Chinese Government pledged to fulfil in the above-mentioned resolutions was that it " will assume responsibility for the safety of the livesand property of Japanese nationals outside that zone as the withdrawal of the Japanesetroops continues and the Chinese local authorities and police are re-established ".

The undertaking which both the Chinese and Japanese Governments undertook tofulfil was that they " will take all necessary steps to prevent any extension of scope of theincidents or any aggravation of the situation ".

As to the joint undertaking just cited, the preliminary report says that the Commissionmust reserve consideration in a later report.

As to the undertaking of the Chinese Government, the preliminary report notes that" as events have developed recently the practical question of the fulfilment of its respon-sibility has not arisen ".

The " events-" which the Commission has in view refer presumably to the establish-ment of the pseudo-Manchukuo Government and the non-withdrawal of the Japanesetroops. These " events " naturally absolve the Chinese Government from non-fulfilmentof its undertaking, or, as the Commission rightly remarks in its report, " the practicalquestion of the fulfilment of its responsibility has not arisen ".

As to the undertaking of the Japanese Government to " continue as rapidly as possiblewithdrawal of its troops into the Manchurian Railway zone ", the preliminary report isexplicit; Japanese troops have not only not withdrawn, they have increased in numbers- as may be seen from those figures which the Commission obtained from the Japanesethemselves. For the first part of December, there were 4,000 inside and 8,900 outsidethe South Manchurian Railway zone, and, for the latter part of April, the numbersaregiven as 6,600 inside and 15,800 outside, an increase of 2,600 inside and 6,900 outside theRailway zone. These are, of course, only Japanese figures. The real figures must bevery much larger.

Aside from these Japanese regular forces, there is the so-called " Manchukuo Army, "the total number of which is stated to have been 85,000 men at the end of March. " Thisforce ", the report says, "has been created with the help of Japanese military authorities.Many Japanese officers, either retired or still belonging to Japanese Army, have beenengaged as military advisers, and their number is increasing. Contracts with some of theseofficers have been made for one year. A Japanese officer has been appointed adviser tothe ' Department of Defence of the Manchukuo Government ' at Changchun ".

As distinguished from the " Japanese Regular Forces ", this " Manchukuo Army "might be better denominated " Japanese Irregular Forces " in every sense of the term.

The forces opposed to the Japanese troops and the " Manchukuo Army " vary innumbers, according to the preliminary report. The Chinese give their number as 140,000outside the Great Wall. The Japanese give them as 110,000, of which they state that60,000 have joined the " Manchukuo Army " and 50,000 remained in opposition. Be thatas it may, one conclusion may be sustained - namely, that there is still a large organisedforce opposed to the present regime, and that the Japanese forces and their allies are notengaged in a campaign against irregulars and bandits as the Japanese have claimed themto be.

1 See Annex IV.

- 34 -

In classifying the various forces now prevalent in Manchuria, the Commission notes a,"new feature "-namely, the transformation of the local administration in Manchuria.According to the Council resolutions of September 30th and December 10th, local authoritiesand police of the Chinese Government were to be re-established on the withdrawal ofJapanese forces and the handing over of the local police administration by the Japaneseto the Chinese authorities. But, contrary to this procedure enjoined by the League Council,the Japanese first helped in putting up in the last month of 1931 the so-called " Committeesfor the Preservation of Peace and Order ", which were, in the words of the preliminaryreport, " subsequently superseded, by an authority which was established on March 9th,1932, as the "Manchukuo Government ". That this "new feature " was not contemplatedby the Council in December last and therefore contrary to its resolutions of September 30thand December 10th goes without saying.

The report makes mention of bandit raids and fighting between the various militaryforces attempting to maintain the new regime and those opposed it to. This lamentablestate of affairs bears witness to the unwisdom of the acts of the Japanese militarists. Theirone object, which has been repeatedly claimed as justification for the despatch and presenceof Japanese troops in the three eastern provinces, is the maintenance of peace, order andsecurity. This object, the report avers, is utterly defeated. In its own words, "the resultis loss of life, destruction of property and general sense of insecurity ". The inevitableconclusion to be derived would seem that the situation can only be remedied by the with-drawal of Japanese forces and the establishment of the legal authorities of the ChineseGovernment.

As a whole, the report is a vindication of the Chinese position vis-a-vis the Sino-Japanesedispute with respect to the three eastern provinces. It is of unmistakable opinion that theJapanese have not carried out their pledges as embodied in the Council resolutions ofSeptember 30th and December 10th. All doubts should now be removed that it is theintention of the Japanese to create an armed military state in Manchuria under Japanesedirection and control as a preliminary stage towards their realisation of establishing ahegemony over the three eastern provinces. As such, it should not be countenanced bythe League and the world.

VI. REPORT PRESENTED TO THE SPECIAL ASSEMBLY BY THECOMMITTEE OF NINETEEN IN EXECUTION OF PARAGRAPH 7

(PART III) OF THE ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION OF MARCH 11TH,1932.1

A.(Extr. ).118.1932.VII.

NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Geneva, May 11th, 1932.

At the request of the Chairman of the Committee of Nineteen, the Secretary-Generalhas the honour to transmit to the Assembly the report provided for in paragraph 7 (Part III)of the resolution of March 11th, 1932.

The resolution adopted by the Special Assembly on March 11th states, in Part "II,paragraph 7, that the Special Committee is instructed to submit a first progress report tothe Assembly as soon as possible, and at latest on May 1st, 1932.

As the Committee submitted to the Assembly, on April 29th,2 a report on the situationand negotiations at Shanghai in accordance with paragraph 1 (Part III) of the same resolu-tion, the present report only deals with the Manchurian question.

1. At its meeting on March 17th, the Committee decided to invite the Governmentsof China and Japan to inform it of the measures which they had taken or expected to takein the near future in order to carry into effect the resolutions adopted by the Council onSeptember 30th and December 10th, 1931. The Secretary-General communicated thisdecision to the representatives of China and Japan by a letter dated March 18th (documentA.(Extr.).64).3

On April 13th, the representative of China transmitted the desired information to theCommittee (document C.372.M.213.1932.VII). 4

Further, on April 8th, the representative of Japan on the Council sent the Secretary-General a communication arising out of " the two resolutions " of the Council " concerningthe general situation ". This communication has been circulated to all the Members ofthe League in document C.357.M.208.1932.VII. 5

L See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, page 88.2 See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, pages 96 and 249.3 See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, page 292.4 See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, page 272.5 See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, page 266.

35

The Chinese delegation has since forwarded two further communications relatingto the situation in Manchuria, one dealing with the " puppet Government"(document A.(Extr.).105, dated April 21st),l and the other with the "Japanese occupation"document A.(Extr.). 106, dated April 26th).2

2. The Special Committee also decided on March 17th to instruct the Secretary-General to inform the President of the Council that, referring to the penultimate paragraphof the Assembly's resolution of March 11th, the Committee would attach great importanceto receiving at the earliest moment which the Council might find possible any reports whichmight reach the Council from the Commission of Enquiry presided over by Lord Lytton. Inparticular, the Committee desired to receive information as soon as might be possible inregard to the general situation in Manchuria, and had expressed the wish that the Presidentof the Council should consider what steps might be taken to that end.

The Secretary-General communicated the Special Committee's decision to the Presidentof the Council by a letter dated March 18th (document A.(Extr.).64).3 The President ofthe Council replied that he would immediately communicate the Secretary-General's letterto the Members of the Council, and also to the Commission of Enquiry, to which theSecretary-General regularly forwards all the official documents he receives with regard tothe dispute.

3. The Commission presided over by Lord Lytton has begun its enquiry into thesituation in Manchuria. At its request, the Members of the Council having representativeson the spot have agreed that the latter shall furnish the Commission with information.The Government of the United States of America has also intimated that its officials willrender the Commission all appropriate assistance.

As the Members of the Assembly are no doubt aware, the Commission sent, onApril 30th, a preliminary report from Mukden on the situation in Manchuria. At itsmeeting on May 10th, the Council decided to communicate it to the Assembly for itsinformation without adding any comment.

For convenience of reference, this report has been annexed to the present document.4

* *

It would therefore appear that the situation can be summarised as follows:As regards Shanghai, the Committee thinks it may say that the Assembly's resolutions,

aiming at the definitive cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the Japanese forces,are in process of being carried into effect. The agreement negotiated on the spot inaccordance with the Assembly's recommendations seems likely to ensure the completewithdrawal of the Japanese forces in a short time.

As regards the Manchurian question, the Special Committee did not feel called uponto open its examination until it had received from the Council a report by the Commissionof Enquiry, together with any observations the Council might desire to make.

VII. EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMIT PRESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 12,PARAGRAPH 2, OF THE COVENANT OF THE LEAGUE OFNATIONS. _

A.(Extr.).123.1932.VII.

1. LETTER, DATED JUNE 24TH, 1932, FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE

ASSEMBLY TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF CHINA AND JAPAN.

[Translation.] Geneva, June 24th, 1932.

The last communication from the Commission of Enquiry, which was circulated onJune 15th to the Council and Members of the League in document C.519.M.257.1932.VII,concludes with the words: " The Commission hopes to submit its report to Geneva byabout the middle of September at the latest. "5

As the report of the Commission of Enquiry is bound to constitute one of the essentialelements of the documentation which the Assembly has requested the Council to transmitto it, together with any observations it may have to make, I think it should be arrangedthat the Council and Members of the League to whom this report will be communica edshould be given time to study it carefully, which would be impossible if the period of sixmonths provided for in Article 12 of the Covenant were strictly observed in the present case.

1 See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, page 258.2 See Official Journal, Special Supplmeent No. 101, Volume I, page 278.3 See Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, Volume I, page 292.4 See Annex IV.5 See Annex IX, Communication No. 2.

36

After consulting the Members of the Assembly who are sitting on its SpecialCommittee, I have the honour to place before you the following proposal which, if it meetswith your agreement and that of the Japanese/ Chinese representatives, might be submittedto the Assembly, which I shall summon in plenary meeting at an early date:

"While laying stress on the exceptional character of a measure which is imposedon it by circumstances, the Assembly, noting that the representatives of the Chineseand Japanese Governments have both informed its President of their agreementconcerning the extension of the time limit laid down in the second paragraph ofArticle 12 of the Covenant, decides to prolong this time limit to the extent that maybe strictly necessary and on the understanding that the said extension shall notconstitute a precedent.

" After receiving the report of the Commission of Enquiry, the Assembly, on theproposal of its Committee, will fix the duration of the extension.

" It goes without saying that, in deciding upon this extension, the Assembly hasno intention of unduly prolonging its work; it desires to conclude it as rapidly ascircumstances permit. It hopes in particular that its Committee will be in a positionto begin its examination of the report of the Commission of Enquiry beforeNovember 1st."

In submitting to you this proposal, it is my duty to add that I have every confidencethat the undertaking not to aggravate the situation entered into by the two parties beforethe Council, and recorded by the latter on September 30th and December 10th in resolutionswhich retain their full executory force, will be scrupulously observed: I am sure thatyou will agree with me that these resolutions will continue to be fully valid during theperiod for which the time limit of six months may be extended. I would also refer you tothe resolution which the Assembly adopted on March 11th, and in which it recalled thetwo resolutions of the Council.

If the proposal which I have the honour to submit to you meets, as I hope it may,with your agreement, I should be grateful if you would inform me as soon as possible, inorder that I may summon a plenary meeting of the Assembly.

(Signed) Paul HYMANS.

A.(Extr.).123.1932.VII.

2. REPLY,DATED JUNE 25TH, 1932, FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN

TO THE LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY, DATEDJUNE 24TH, 1932.

[Translation.] Geneva, June 25th, 1932.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated June 24th, and toinform you that I have no objection to the extension of the time limit fixed in Article 12of the Covenant, while still maintaining my previous reservations.

(Signed) H. NAGAOKA,

Japanese Representative on the Councilof the League of Nations.

A(Extr.).123.1932.VII.

3. REPLY, DATED JUNE 26TH, 1932, FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CHINATO THE LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY, DATED

JUNE 24TH, 1932.

Geneva, June 26th, 1932.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 24th instantcontaining a proposal to prolong the period prescribed by paragraph 2 of Article 12 of theCovenant, which I have not delayed to transmit to my Government.

I am now in receipt of instructions from my Government, which I hasten to transmitfor the information of your Excellency.

My Government agrees to the prolongation mentioned in your communication andits accompanying statements, subject to the condition that the six months' period will notbe prolonged more than is ab-olutely necessitated by physical circumstances.

My Government has noted that the Committee of Nineteen firmly intends to beginto study the report of the Lytton Commission before November 1st. My Governmentexpects that not only will tha study be begun by that date, but that the final report ofthe Assembly will be adopted or ready for adoption before then.

-— 37 -

Since the adoption of the two Council resolutions last year and the Assembly resolutionof March 11th, Japan has continuously aggravated the situation by extending the area ofmilitary occupation and hostilities, destroying more Chinese lives and property, and byestablishing and supporting the puppet organisation in Manchuria. Hence, it is theunderstanding of the Chinese Government that, in adopting the proposal as recommendedby the Special Committee, the Assembly will not tolerate during the period of prolongationfurther aggravation of above or any other kind.

(Signed) W. W. YEN.

A.(Extr.).139.1932.VII.

VIII. LETTER, DATED AUGUST 30TH, 1932, FROM THE CHINESEDELEGATION COMMUNICATING THE TEXT OF A SPEECHDELIVERED AT A MEMORIAL SERVICE ON AUGUST 29TH,1932, BY DR. LO WEN-KAN, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Ref. A.48.Geneva, August 30th, 1932.

I have to honour to transmit to you the text of a speech delivered at a memorial serviceby His Excellency Dr. Lo Wen-kan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on !he 29th instant, andshall be deeply obliged if you will be so good as to circulate the same among the Membersof the Council, the Special Committee of Nineteen and the Special Assembly.

(Signed) W. W. YEN.

TEXT OF A TELEGRAM, DATED ATUGUST 29TH, 1932, RECEIVED BY THE CHINESE DELEGATIONFROM NANKING.

Dr. Lo Wen-kan, Chinese Foreign Minister, delivered the following speech at thememorial service on August 29th:

"Japan has at last thrown down the gauntlet against the conscience of the wholeworld. The long speech delivered before the Japanese Diet on August 25th by CountUchida, Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, laid bare Japan's intentions so completelythat she need not seek any pretext in the further prosecution of her scheme of aggressionin China. Ignoring the entreaties for peace of all humanity, defying the League of Nationsand other peace machinery, disregarding her obligations assumed under solemn internationaltreaties, Japan has told the world to the effect that she has the right to invade Chineseterritory, to seize the three eastern provinces, to set up the puppet Government and call itan independent State and, finally, to shape and control its destiny until Japan and herpuppet become one political entity, in name as well as in fact. Count Uchida's thesis isindeed a tale o" mediaeval militarism guised in the language of the twentieth century.

" Japan has pleaded self-defence for all her acts of aggression, and she now arguesthat the exercise of the right of self-defence may extend beyond the territory of the Powerexercising that right and that the anti-war Pact of Paris does not prohibit the signatoryPower from availing itself of that right at its own discretion. Such pernicious argumentreveals the attempt on the part of Japan to destroy the validity of the Pact of Parisaltogether. If it could be accepted by the other sixty-one signatory Powers as the correctinterpretation of that epoch-making treaty, then the whole document would be a sham,and nations which have renounced war as the instrument of national policy would seemto have reserved the right to fight an aggressive war on the territory of a neighbourringPower.

" In point of fact, the signatory Powers, including Japan, of that famous treatymutually agreed that the settlement or the solution of all disputes or conflicts, of whatevernature or of whatever origin they might be which might arise among them, should neverbe sought except by pacific means. If Japan had really suffered injuries of her importantrights and interests in China as she now seems to contend, she could, by resorting to pacificmeans known in international law, seek due redress from the Chinese Government. Withouteven bringing any cause of complaint to the knowledge of the National Government,Japan, on the night of September 18th, 1931, caused her troops to open a sudden andunprovoked a tack on the Chinese garrison at Shenyang (Mukden) and seize that city byforce, and then deliberately and progressively extended her military operations until wholeManchuria is now under her occupation and control. To plead self-defence under suchcircumstan'es only aggravates the wrong deeds of 'he leading party. In the wordsrecently u tered by Colonel Stimson, Secre ary of State of the United States of America,

38

'A nation which sought to mask its imperialistic policy under the guise of the defence ofits nationals would soon be unmasked ', and Japan has already unmasked herself.

"It is a highly preposterous assertion to say that the puppet organisation createdand supported by Japan herself has achieved independence through the spontaneous willof the Manchurians, and that the Nine-Power Treaty does not forbid any separatistmovement in China, nor the recognition by Japan of any new State formed as the resultof such a movement.

"The whole world knows that in the three eastern provinces there has never been anyseparatist movement from within, but there has been aggressive imperialistic movementfrom without. It is the Japanese militarists who have brought all the theatricalparaphernalia to Manchuria and set up on the stage the bogus Government, styled by theepithet of the ' Independent State of Manchukuo '. It is the Japanese militarists who havetranslated their own free will into action. It is the Japanese militarists who arebrowbeating, intimidating and oppressing thirty million citizens of the Republic of China,who are prevented by sheer force from asserting their own spontaneous will. Geographically,historically and ethnically, the three eastern provinces will remain part of the Chineseterritory, and the inhabitants of these provinces will remain loyal citizens to the ChineseRepublic. Japanese troops once withdrawn, the bogus organisation will at once collapselike a pack of cards.

"If there were in China a separatist movement in the true sense of the term, theNine-Power Treaty might not be brought into play, as that treaty is not designed to regulatequestions in China of purely domestic nature. But when a part of the Chinese territoryhas been forcibly seized and occupied by Japan, who maintains therein an organisation ofits own creation, there is not the slightest doubt that such actions constitute flagrantviolations of those provisions of the Nine-Power Treaty, whereby the signatory Powers,including Japan, engage to respect the territorial and administrative integrity of China.Japan's guilt in violating this treaty commenced with the opening of her attack on thenight of September 18th, 1931, and has been continuously aggravated with each of hersubsequent acts, including the kidnapping of Pu-Yi and placing him at the head of thepuppet organisation. Her guilt will assume still greater proportions, but will not bedifferent in nature, when she carries out her declared intention to accord recognition tothe unlawful regime she herself has created.

" Count Uchida knew himself that he was making an assertion which was diametricallyopposite to truth when he declared that Manchuria had entered upon a career of sturdyand healthy progress. There are unmistakable evidences of the people's opposition to theJapanese domination gathering momentum every day and everywhere in the three easternprovinces. In face of Japan's bombing and gunfire, the volunteer forces continue theiractivities with redoubled energy. As for commerce and industry in Manchuria, they havebeen steadily on the decline since the Japanese occupation, and, in fact, never have economicconditions in that region been worse than they are at present. There will be no peace andprosperity in the three eastern provinces until all Japanese troops have been withdrawnfrom places where they have no right to appear, and until the Chinese Government regainscontrol over the land now temporarily lost to us.

"The Japanese Foreign Minister, attempting to justify Japan's aggression in China,referred to our domestic administration and communistic activities. We do not pretendto possess a perfect administration, an administration free from those political vicissitudescommon to all countries. Nor do we claim complete success of our work in suppressingcommunism thus undertaken. We also admit that we have not been exempt from theeffects of the universal economic depression. We were harassed last year by unprecedentedfloods and are still suffering from their damaging consequences. Under such circumstances,we had believed that the Japanese people, like every other nation, would have shown usthe greatest sympathy and would have given us at least moral help to our stupendoustask of rehabilitation. That Japan should take advantage of China's internal difficultiesand launch a premeditated scheme of military aggression yet unheard of in the annals ofthe modern world, was indeed beyond human conjecture.

" Japan has now defied the whole world - the League of Nations, the Pact of Paris,the Nine-Power Treaty and other international commitments and, finally, the public opinionof mankind. She is labouring under a fanciful idea that she could realise her militaryconquest by rushing matters through and creating faits accompis before the worldpronounces its final judgment. But the enlightened nations of the world have alreadydeclared that they will not recognise the situation brought about by violence.

" I want to take this opportunity to emphasise a few important points of the policyof the Chinese Government in respect to the present situation.

" (1) Neither the Chinese Government nor the Chinese people entertain theleast anti-foreign feelings. However, in view of the present state of affairs producedby Japan's military aggression, it is absolutely impossible for the Chinese people toexpress very cordial and friendly sentiments toward the Japanese. It entirely rests

- 39

with Japan herself to improve and to restore relations between the Chinese and theJapanese peoples.

"(2) China will never surrender one inch of her territory, nor any of hersovereign rights under stress of military force which she condemns, and is determinedto resist with the best of her ability.

"(3) China will never agree to any solution for the present situation which takesinto account the puppet organisation in the three eastern provinces, established,maintained and controlled by the Japanese military forces.

"(4) China is confident that any reasonable proposal for the settlement of thepresent situation will be necessarily compatible with the letter and spirit of the Covenantof the League of Nations, the Pact of Paris, the Nine-Power Treaty, as well as withChina's sovereign power, and will also effectively secure everlasting peace in the FarEast."

IX. CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE MOVEMENTS ANDWORK OF THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY APPOINTED BYTHE COUNCIL OF THE LEAGUE IN ITS RESOLUTION OFDECEMBER 10TH, 1931.

A.(Extr.).117.1932.VII.

1. LETTER, DATED MAY 9TH, 1932, FROM THE CHINESE DELEGATION,TRANSMITTING INFORMATION REGARDING CERTAIN MEASURESALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN VIS-A-VIS THE CHINESE ASSESSORON THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY.

Ref. A.35. Geneva, May 9th, 1932.

I have the honour to communicate herewith a telegram from my Government, datedMay 9th, and to request that you will be good enough to circulate the same among theMembers of the Assembly:

" According to authentic reports, the surveillance by the Japanese on our Assessor,M. Koo, after his arrival at Changchun, became more strict. Even in the case offoreign advisers to the Commission, whenever they went out, Japanese plain- clothesmen forced their way into their cars to accompany them. Certain German journalistswho came in the company of the Commission have already been arrested and detained.On the third instant, when M. Koo was interviewing some American missionaries, anumber of Japanese suddenly broke into the room and insisted on knowing the namesof the guests and the substance of their interviews. Lord Lytton's secretary,Mr. Astor, who was an eyewitness of this sudden intervention, gave the Japanese agood scolding. Thereupon, the latter demanded to know if Mr. Koo's reception waspermitted by the police, saying that anyone in Manchuria who wished to call mustfirst obtain permission from the police. The Japanese dispersed, however, on beingtold by Mr. Astor that the police had no such right to interfere at all."

(Signed) W. W. YEN.

A. (Extr. ).120.1932 .VII.

2. LETTER, DATED MAY 13TH, 1932, FROM THE CHINESE DELEGATION TOTHE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Ref. A.37. Geneva, May 13th, 1932.

I have the honour to transmit to you the following telegram, dated May 13th, whichI have just received from the General Postal Labour Union and the General PostalEmployees' Association of China, and to request that you will be good enough to circulateit among the Members of the Assembly:

" Japan has established the bogus Manchurian Government in our three easternprovinces and, under force of arms, this "puppet " Government has been used by heras a weapon of invasion and as a means of misleading public opinion and hoodwinking

40

the League of Nations. The Commission of Enquiry of the League of Nations, whilein Manchuria, is reported to have been closely watched and prevented from makingenquiries in one way or another, with the result that it is difficult for real facts to bebrought to light. All this serves to prove Japan's invasive attitude. Our Union andAssociation representing the whole body of postal employees throughout China havethe honour to request the League of Nations to uphold justice by checking Japan'sinvasive attitude so that China's sovereignty and territorial integrity may bemaintained and world peace ensured."

(Signed) T. Y. Lo.

C.519.M.257.1932.VII.

3. TELEGRAM, DATED JUNE 14TH, 1932, FROM THE COMMISSON OF ENQUIRYNOTIFYING ITS ARRIVAL AT PEIPING AND GIVING INFORMATIONREGARDING THE PREPARATION OF ITS REPORT.

Peiping, June 14th, 1932.

After visiting Manchuria, the Commission returned to Peiping for the purpose ofstudying and co-ordinating the information collected and supplementing its documentationon certain points from Chinese sources. The Commission proposes to leave for Japan inthe course of next week, as it wishes to have a further exchange of views with the JapaneseGovernment. A part of its secretariat and some of its experts will remain at Peiping tostudy the documentation. The Commission will begin to discuss its final report duringits visit to Japan, and will complete and adopt this report on its return to China. TheCommission hopes to submit its report in Geneva by about the middle of September at thelatest.

C.526.M.261.1932.VII.

4. TELEGRAM, DATED JUNE 25TH, 1932, FROM THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRYNOTIFYING ITS DEPARTURE FOR JAPAN ON JUNE 28TH, 1932.

Peiping, June 25th, 1932.

Leaving June 28th for Japan, via Korea. Passing Seoul from morning July 1st untilmorning July 2nd. Arriving Tokio July 4th. - HAAS.

X. GENERAL SITUATION IN MANCHURIA.

A.(Extr. ).114.1932.VII.A. MILITARY SITUATION.

1. LETTER, DATED MAY 4TH, 1932, FROM THE CHINESE DELEGATION TO THE SECRETARY-

GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Ref. A.32. Geneva, May 4th, 1932.

I have the honour to communicate herewith to you a telegram, dated May 2nd, whichI have received from my Government, and to request that you will be good enough tocirculate it among the Members of the Assembly:

" According to a telegraphic report from Generals Ting Chao, who was defendingHarbin before its occupation by the Japanese, and Li Tu, both of whom are stillgiving a stubborn resistance to the Japanese in the vicinity of Ilan, a city of thenorthernmost border of the Kirin Province, about 160 miles to the east of Harbin, twothousand Japanese troops including rebel forces were despatched on April 25th fromHarbin by the Sungari River in six war vessels, ten steamships and ten tug-boats forthe purpose of attacking Ilan.

" A brigade of Japanese troops has engaged in battle our soldiers for several daysin the neighbourhood of Imienpu, a city on the Chinese Eastern Railway, about onehundred miles to the south-east of Harbin, and Chuho, also a city on the ChineseEastern Railway, about twenty miles to the north of Imienpu. Serious fighting isstill going on."

.(iig ned) W. W .YVEN.