Correct answer: B. The United States stated that it would not recognize a territory taken by force.
Context/detail:
Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 as a part of its imperialistic expansion plans in Asia. The world community did little of substance to respond. The League of Nations proved ineffective and could not agree on any measures such as sanctions. The United States was too preoccupied with Depression conditions to consider taking any action either. (The US had not joined the League of Nations.) The US did not impose economic sanctions against Japan until 1941, after Japanese troops had taken over French Indochina.