Resolution Adopted by the Council of the League of Nations on December 10, 193180
The Council,
(1) Reaffirms the resolution passed unanimously by it on September 30th, 1931, by which the two parties declare that they are solemnly bound; it therefore calls upon the Chinese and Japanese Governments to take all steps necessary to assure its execution, so that the withdrawal of the Japanese troops within the railway zone may be effected as speedily as possible under the conditions set forth in the said resolution;
(2) Considering that events have assumed an even more serious aspect since the Council meeting of October 24th;
[Page 60]Notes that the two parties undertake to adopt all measures necessary to avoid any further aggravation of the situation and to refrain from any initiative which may lead to further fighting and loss of life;
(3) Invites the two parties to continue to keep the Council informed as to the development of the situation;
(4) Invites the other Members of the Council to furnish the Council with any information received from their representatives on the spot;
(5) Without prejudice to the carrying out of the above-mentioned measures,
Desiring, in view of the special circumstances of the case, to contribute towards a final and fundamental solution by the two Governments of the questions at issue between them:
Decides to appoint a Commission of five members to study on the spot and to report to the Council on any circumstance which, affecting international relations, threatens to disturb peace between China and Japan, or the good understanding between them, upon which peace depends;
The Governments of China and of Japan will each have the right to nominate one assessor to assist the Commission.
The two Governments will afford the Commission all facilities to obtain on the spot whatever information it may require;
It is understood that, should the two parties initiate any negotiations, these would not fall within the scope of the terms of reference of the Commission, nor would it be within the competence of the Commission to interfere with the military arrangements of either party.
The appointment and deliberations of the Commission shall not prejudice in any way the undertaking given by the Japanese Government in the resolution of September 30th as regards the withdrawal of the Japanese troops within the railway zone.
(6) Between now and its next ordinary session, which will be held on January 25th, 1932, the Council, which remains seized of the matter, invites its President to follow the question and to summon it afresh if necessary.
- Reprinted from League of Nations, Official Journal, December, 1931, p. 2374.↩