§ Mr. MANDERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the intervention of the Council of the League of Nations in the dispute between China and Japan in Manchuria, and the extent to which the United States of America has been a party to the proceedings?
§ Captain EDENThe appeal addressed by the Council of the League of Nations to the Chinese and Japanese Governments was described in my reply to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Malone) on Thursday last. In reply, the Chinese Government expressed gratification at the action which had been taken, together with the hope that further measures would be forthcoming. They have, however, modified their original demand for the appointment of a neutral commission of investigation into a proposal that the Council should help the parties to reach an agreement as to arrangements on the spot, which would make it possible to fix an early date for 371W the completion of the withdrawal. At two successive meetings of the Council the Japanese delegate has reported the progressive withdrawal of Japanese troops from Chinese territory. He has declared that his Government has no territorial designs on Manchuria, and that they maintain their determination, of which practical proof has been given during the last few days, to withdraw their forces within the railway zone, in so far as the safety of Japanese nationals and their property is effectively provided for. He added that all Japanese troops were now withdrawn, except for those in Mukden and Kirin, and for a small number in two other towns. The Council will consider the matter again to-day. The United States Government has been kept informed of the action of the League Council.