Manchuria : Nearing a Decision Whatever be the reason for
the far more decisive attitude adopted by the Committee of Nineteen at Geneva in the past week, the change is profoundly to be welcomed. It has now been made unmistakably clear that the Assembly when it meets is to be called on to declare definitely against any recognition de j'aetel or de jure of Manchukuo, and the United States, Soviet Russia and other non-members of the League are to be asked to identify themselves with this , resolve. There will certainly be no hesitation about American assent, for it was Mr. Stimson who first laid down the doctrine of non-recognition. So far the League of Nations can go without a moment's hesitation ; it ought, of course, to have gone so far long ago. The next step is admittedly more difficult. So far as Manchukuo is concerned refusal of anything in the nature of loans, and an embargo on the supply of munitions by all members of the League, ought to go without saying. As to sanctions against Japan herself, it has always had to be recognized that in the present phase of the League's development its reeMberimust judge what is practicable in any given cage, and that question they will still have to put to themselves in relation to the present dispute. The fact that as soon as the Committee of Nineteen had taken its decision, in which it is satisfactory to note the British representa- tive concurred fully, Japan came forward with what professed to be further concessions, is interesting, inasmuch as it lends some colour to the contention of those who have maintained throughout that if the League had only displayed ,firmness Japan would have accepted the inevitable long ago.
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