It is confirmed in Geneva that the Chinese delegation has received instructions from the Chinese Government to request the League of Nations to apply Article 17 of the League Convention to the Sino-Japanese conflict. Article 17 provides for a settlement by League arbitration of con-fiots between members and nonmembers of the League of Nations. It gives the League Council in the present case the possibility of approaching Japan as a non-member of the League and offering its services as mediator in the conflict. In the event of Japan as a non-member declining this offer, the League can proceed to apply Article 16 with its sanction clauses.
There already appears to be doubt in Chinese delegation circles as to whether France and Britain will come forward in support of the Chinese Government's request. It is insisted in these circles, however, that the Chinese Government fails to see why as a League member it should renounce its right to obtain assistance of the League of Nations, especially in view of the fact that up to now the League has done nothing in the way of helping to bring about a settlement of the Far Eastern conflict.
It is understood that Dr. Wellington Koo will make a lengthy statement to the League Assembly on China's legal claim to the League and that no matter how strong may be diplomatic pressure brought to bear on China, the latter will in no way renounce its demand for the application of Article 17.—Trans-Ocean.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.