§ 12. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Japan is recognised by His Majesty's Government as the mandatory Power for the former German colonies in the Pacific; and whether the Japanese Government, since it ceased to be a member of the League of Nations, has made any declaration recognising its obligations to the Mandates Commission and to the Council of the League?
§ Viscount CranborneYes, Sir; Japan is recognised as the mandatory Power for such of the former German colonies in the Pacific as were placed under Japanese mandate after the Great War. As regards the second part of the question, the position is that, following on a statement made by the accredited representative of Japan to the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League in 1935, the League Council adopted a report in which the Rapporteur noted,
after perusing the proceedings of the Commission, that Japan—whose status as a Member of the League of Nations ended on 27th March, 1935—considered, rightly, that she was still bound by the obligations of the mandate which she exercises on behalf of the League, in conformity with the principles laid down in Article 22 of the Covenant.
§ Mr. DaviesIs the Noble Lord satisfied that Japan is carrying out her mandatory obligations in this connection; and does it not appear anomalous to His Majesty's Government that now that Japan has left the League of Nations she is still a mandatory Power?