28 NOVEMBER 1931, Page 2

Paris and Manchuria While the League of Nations Council sits

in Paris and gets nowhere, Japan steadily extends' her military occupation over the whole of Manchuria and the world's faith in the League of Nations grows as steadily less. Nothing is gained by disguising facts that stare everyone in the eyes. Something, on the other hand, may be gained by recalling facts that are too easily forgotten. It is now well over two months since China, iii accordance with her unquestioned right and duty, brought before the Council what was indisputably a violation by Japan of the League Covenant, and incidentally of the Kellogg Pact. Japan then gave assurances of the early withdrawal of her troops, those troops' meanwhile, after a temporary halt, continuing to advance. To-day virtually the whole of • Manchuria is occupied and Japan demands that China should withdraw her forces from the province of Manchuria to south of the Great Wall, i.e., out of Manchuria altogether. China simultaneously is understood to have made the Opportune and reasonable suggestion that, since Japan Is concerned about the safety of her nationals in Man- churia, the territory should, as the Japanese forces withdraw, be policed temporarily by European forces at China's expense. But whether that proposal has been made officially or unofficially, nothing has s come Of it. *• *