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interests of the U.S.S.R. would risk a future breach of the peace and would not be permanent.
Conclusions.These considerations are sufficient to indicate the lines on which a solution might be reached if the Governments of China and Japan could recognise the identity of their chief interests and were willing to make them include the maintenance of peace and the establishment of cordial relations with each other. As already stated, there is no question of returning to the conditions before September 1931. A satisfactory regime for the future might be evolved out of the present one without any violent change. In the next chapter, we offer certain suggestions for doing this, but we would first define the general principles to which any satisfactory solution should conform. They are the following:
Conditions of a satisfactory solution.1. Compatibility with the interests of both China and Japan.
Both countries are Members of the League and each is entitled to claim the same consideration from the League. A solution from which both did not derive benefit would not be a gain to the cause of peace.
2. Consideration for the interests of the U.S.S.R.
To make peace between two of the neighbouring countries without regard for the interests of the third would be neither just nor wise, nor in the interests of peace.
3. Conformity with existing multilateral treaties.
Any solution should conform to the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations, the Pact of Paris, and the Nine-Power Treaty of Washington.
4. Recognition of Japan's interests in Manchuria.
The rights and interests of Japan in Manchuria are facts which cannot be ignored, and any solution which failed to recognise them and to take into account also the historical associations of Japan with that country would not be satisfactory.
5. The establishment of new treaty relations between China and Japan.
A re-statement of the respective rights, interests and responsibilities of both countries in Manchuria in new treaties, which shall be part of the settlement by agreement, is desirable if future friction is to be avoided and mutual confidence and co-operation are to be restored.
6. Effective provision for the settlement of future disputes.
As a corollary to the above, it is necessary that provision should be made for facilitating the prompt settlement of minor disputes as they arise.
7. Manchurian autonomy.
The government in Manchuria should be modified in such a way as to secure, consistently with the sovereignty and administrative integrity of China, a large measure of autonomy designed to meet the local conditions and special characteristics of the Three Provinces. The new civil regime must be so constituted and conducted as to satisfy the essential requirements of good government.
8. Internal order and security against external aggression.
The internal order of the country should be secured by an effective local gendarmerie force, and security against external aggression should be provided by the withdrawal of all armed forces other than gendarmerie, and by the conclusion of a treaty of non-aggression between the countries interested.
