793.94 Commission/423
Statement Made by Dr. Lo Wen-kan, Minister of Foreign Affairs at Nanking, Dated October 3, 193287
The Report of the Commission of Inquiry of the League of Nations which has now been published represents the result of several months’ strenuous work and pains-taking efforts on the part of Lord Lytton and his colleagues in the cause of international peace and reconciliation.
It may be recalled that it was with a view to contributing towards the final and fundamental solution of the situation brought about by Japan’s invasion of Chinese territory that the League of Nations decided to appoint a Commission of Inquiry on December 10th of last year. “The terms of reference of the Commission”, in the words of M. Briand who presented the Resolution of that date to the League Council for consideration and acceptance, “are wide. In principle no question which it feels called upon to study will be excluded, provided the question relates to any circumstances which, affecting international relations, threaten to disturb peace between China and Japan, or the good understanding between them upon which peace depends.” In so far as its duties are concerned, the Commission was, therefore, perfectly correct in interpreting them to include an examination of all [Page 287] relevant facts and submission to the League recommendations leading to an amicable solution of the dispute.
From a cursory reading of the Report one feels that two points have been brought out in a most striking manner. One is that the Japanese military operations on and subsequent to September 18, 1931, were unjustified and cannot be regarded as measures of self-defence, and the other is that the so-called “Manchukuo” regime was not created by a genuine and spontaneous independence movement, but owes its existence to the presence of the Japanese troops and the activities of the Japanese officials, both civil [and] military.
The Report which contains many questions of the utmost importance is being carefully considered by the authorities of the Chinese Government.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the First Secretary of the Chinese Legation under covering letter of October 4, 1932.↩