JAPAN AND PEACE

The civilized world has been watching with more than ordinary interest the current proceedings of the League of Nations to outlaw aggressive warfare. Never has the prospect of constructive work to this end appeared so favorable as now. The world is war weary, as it was at the close of the Napoleonic wars; but, thanks to the recent London conference, the allies of today present a united front and a harmony of purpose that were lacking in the peace attempts of a century ago. Except in the case of Russia, the nations of today are favored in their efforts by comparative internal stability. The moment is especially opportune, since the Dawes Plan, now in operation, promises the restoration of German credit necessary to new stability in that country. In addition to these obvious advantages of the present moment, the nations have at their disposal the machinery of the League of Nations, which has already been tried and tested by four and one-half years' operation.

Such being the basis for definite progress toward world peace, the news from Geneva during the past two days has aroused the almost forgotten fears of those who were sanguine. It is difficult to understand the Japanese in their opposition to the proposed protocol of arbitration and security. At bottom their contention centers around the immigration question. Japan refuses to bind it self to accept a possible decision by the World Court that immigration is exclusively within another country's domestic jurisidiction. The clause to which she objects would outlaw a disputant country refusing to accept such decision. M. Adachi, speaking for Japan, charged the League with "proclaiming a state criminal without offering any solution to the difficulty". The solution, however, is not only offered, but is put in the most concrete form possible. It is simply a positive and final verdict against the plaintiff state.

France and the British Empire have firmly opposed the Japanese position, but Japan remains adamant. The protocol requires the ratification of three out of four of the great powers on the council--Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan. Italy is reported likely to support Japan, since she, too, is interested in an outlet for her emigrants. Unless one of these two countries is brought to reason, the present peace will go the way of all previous attempts to outlaw war.