Lytton Report

In December 1931, the League of Nations, founded after the end of World War I (1919-1920) with the Treaty of Versailles, sent a commission to China to investigate the September 18 incident (or Mukden Incident), an early event in China's War against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945). The commission was headed by V.A.G.R. Bulwer-Lytton, the second Earl of Lytton and son of a noted British diplomat.

In April 1932, the commission began its investigation in Shenyang, and in September submitted its findings to the League of Nations. The League of Nations then released the Lytton Report on October 2, 1932.

The report stated that Japan was clearly the aggressor in the situation. However, the commission also decided that Manchuria should become an autonomous region, with China only having physical control.

In the end, the Lytton Report basically served to show the weaknesses of the League. The commission failed to stop Japanese aggression, instead, so displeased with the report,Japan withdrew from the League of Nations the in 1933.