Deterioration: To the League Resolution of 10 December 1931

Abstract

On 26 Octobe, the Japanese Government at last publicly revealed the five fundamental principles which must govern Sino-Japanese relations in the future. If the point relating to their own treaty rights in Manchuria was clearly the most contentious, that which pledged respect for China’s territorial integrity already had a hollow ring as the Kwantung Army’s promotion of local independence movements continued apace. A new Liaoning provincial government was established on 7 November, for example,¹ and a Self-Government Guiding Board for the whole area was set up around the same time. Speculation was particularly increased by the disappearance from Tientsin of Henry Pu-yi, heir to the Manchu dynasty, and his subsequent arrival in Mukden under the protection of the Kwantung Army.