Washington, Jan. 7.
AMATIC and fai steps were taken by the United tates to-day in connection with the situation in Manchuria. The Government invoked the Nine Power Treaty and has informed Japan thet the United States will not admi the legality of any de facto situation or recognise any reaty or agreement between China and Japan which impairs the treaty rights of the United States or its citizens.
This startling change i the American attitude has naturally Jed to all manner of conjectures, but there is at present no suggestion in official circles that any immediate or drastic ction, such as the rupture of diplomatic rel us, is contemplated.
At the same time it is admit ited that America is no Jonger speaking in terms of remonstrance but is directly asserting the rights of its citizens.
These new developments in the the Tokyo Foreign Office the request situation follow very. quickly upon of the British Government that the conversations which Col. H.
Japan should confirm her declara-Stimson, the Secretary of State, tions regarding the policy of the: jad in Washington with the Brit "open door" in Manchuria. ith and French Ambassadors. understood that Mr. Matsudaira will Although there is no intimation be authorised, in reply to this that Great Britain and France} quest, to re-affirm the Japanese have associated thenelves directly] pledges in this matter.
Although the request for fresh re-with the United States in invoking) is apparently considered the Nine Power Treaty it is taken somewhat redundant, oficial circles for granted that the Governments} are clearly gratified that Bi of these three countries are in full taken what they consider. to be a fagreoment in. the matter.
Nmore friendly" course than that This assumption is further ssu adopted by America. ported by a further official an-Although most foreign observers houncement by the State Depart-appear to consider that the exter-ant today that the Powers, inter mination of the bandits will require ested in the Far East have decide fully a year and far larger forces take "sweeping and unmistal than those at present available, the Japacese military authorities seem The Nine Power Treaty guava {to be satisfied that they will be able teas the territorial integrity complete the suppression of {Sina land atriate that roe.
Danditry within three months withvilggen to the detriment of other tories shall acquire special out the help of reinforcements. Powers. According to. the actual The United Press learned at the Fewign Office in Rome that} wording of Article LI they mast "re-Train from taking advantage Ttaly expects to issue very. soon a formal expression of adherence to conditions in China in order to seek; [the notes despatched to China and Special rights or privileges which Would. abridge the rights. of sub-Sapan, by the United, States with regard to the Sino-Japanese con-Jeets or citizens of friendly States, flict in, Manchuria, and" from. countenancing action inimical to the security. of such are concentrated at States." The Contracting Powers the Italian Government is satis also. agree not to enter into any! to. maintain a balance of power in either one another or in treaty, agreement or understanding Oriental questions.
However, it is stated in Rome dividually or collectively with any] that Italy's desire to protect Ro-exercised administrative-authority in Manchuria, except nominally."
'These words were uttered by an oficial spokesman of the Governivent when commenting to-day on - the american "Note invoking' the "Nine Power Treaty." This Note has now licen reesived by the Japanese' Gov-Jernment, but no communication has fee beck recsved from any other Tie asserted that it would be possible for Japan to" modify her fiction in Manchuria as she had cen the minimum amount necess-to preserve her legitimate rights fend interests. Japan, he added, bad intention of seeking more. than he was entitled to under existing lweaties and, for this reason, she Jeculd only reiterate her strict ade ference to the polley of the "open fico" ani of equal opportunity Tu conclusion the spokesman de-claved that Japan had no intention fo retain territory which clreunstances had compelled her to occupy temporarily.—Reuter, The American refusal to. adult sabe legality of any. situation. de factor Nin" atone" erticied in. Tokyo as this it interpreted implying a denial of the Tight of the people of Manchuria to substitutea frovernient capable of enforcing Fenest admin ment and violation treaty obligations has precipitated the_ present. situation, 'Commenting on America's appar-Jent fear that Japan intends to set puppet government in Manchuria. From' which she can extract special privileges, an official spokesman
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.