A Spectator's Notebook
THE TIMES has been following so closely the various evolutions of British official policy regarding the Manchurian question that its leading article of last Monday seems to me highly significant. No longer ago than January 17th The Times leader-writer was lavish in apologies for Japan. It would be quite unjust, he insisted, to regard Japan as entirely in the wrong ; her methods, no doubt, gave rise to justifiable criticism, but she acted under great provocation, and the ultimate result of her action, modified by the pressure of friendly Powers, might be for the benefit of the people of Man- churia, who were already getting better paid for their produce. The change of tone by February 6th is unmistakable. China is recognized as having a genuine grievance in the delay that has taken place. The Assembly is told it must now make its report and its recommendations. What is of immediate import- ance is that the principles of the Covenant should not be compromised. " The motive is not interference in a remote quarrel, but simple self-preservation. . . If the machinery for the preservation of peace is to be safe- guarded in the dangerously charged atmosphere of Europe, then the Covenant must be upheld." Admirable and incontrovertible—and equally incontrovertible any time these last fifteen months.
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