2 DECEMBER 1932, Page 1

Japan at Geneva The League of Nations Council has very

wisely remitted the Manchurian question to the Assembly, in spite of the Protests of the Japanese delegate, after hearing from Lord Lytton and his fellow-Commissioners that their conclu- sions were unaffected by anything either the Japanese or Chinese delegate had said at the Council table. It is not yet clear whether the matter will be taken up by the full Assembly or by the Committee of Nineteen (the twelve Council Members and seven others) which it appointed last March -handle-- this either' event there will be brought into the discussion a number of non-Council Powers which hold even stronger views than the average Council State on the necessity for upholding the Covenant by any means possible. The first and most obvious means is to approve the general conclusions of the Lytton Report and to pass a second resolution declaring against recognition of the so-called State of Manchukuo. There fortunately seems to be every prospect that that will he done. If so, the next stage can be approached with sonic deliberation. Japan has burnt so many boats that it will be difficult for her to recross her Rubicon, and, provided it insists on essentials, the League should do anything feasible to make the process easier. But in the last resort it would be far better for Japan to leave the League because she will not comply with the Covenant than to remain within it and defy the Covenant. * * * *