For the last few days attention has been almost monopo-
lized by the stand made by Japan on behalf of her peculiar proposal that any nation ought to have a right of appeal against the domestic legislation of any other nation. To bring .domestic legislation under international discussion is not merely to stir up the hornets' nest, but, as it were, to take the lid bodily off. it. America's entry into the League would be indefinitely postponed. Yet the motive of the Japanese is intelligible enough. They want to have some weapon against the anti-Japanese laws in America. If Japan had voted finally against the draft Protocol the whole scheme would have been wrecked., It was a relief therefore to learn that on Tuesday Japan consented to a compromise. The effect of the compromise is that Japan will not be adjudged an " aggressor " if she becomes involved in a dispute declared by the other side to be a matter of " domestic jurisdiction " provided that Japan herself has laid her case, or is ready to lay it, before the Council of the League .for settlement.
* * * *
Previous page
