Tokyo, Sept. 29.
Application of sanctions against Japan, under the provisions of Article 16 of the League of Nations Covenant, would seriously affect the interests of third party nationals in China, jurists here pointed out today. By taking action against Japan, Foreign Office experts said, the Powers would be acting on the proposition that a state of war exisís in China. This would automatically release Japan of her obligation to protect the rights and interests of third-party nationals in China, thereby facilifating the conduct of her operations, since nó heed would have to be paid to the losses incidentally suffered by neutrals, they asserted. The Powers, particularly Great Britain, have sedulously argued that since a state of war did not exist in China, their rights and interests were entitled to Japanese protection, it was recalled.
Joint Action Improbable The experts were inclined to doubt that any nation would apply sanctions against Japan.
Prospects of collective action, based upon a resolution of the Assembly of the League, were ruled out by the experts, who declared that while France, the Soviet Union, and some other nations may vote in favour of such a step, Great Britain and other members would oppose it. At best, they said, the Assembly would leave prospective action up to each state.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.