The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-17
THORNS STUD
PATH TOPEACE
IN FAR EAST
Dynamite Lies Ready to Be
Touched Off Only by
TrifIing.
PERIL GROWING DAILY
Actual War Menace Turks
in Background During
Government Changes.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMS
scripps-Howard Foreign Editor

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17-Behind
a calm exterior the administration
now may be said to have entered a
period Of anxious waiting, so far as
events in the far east are concerned.
In both China ana Japan new re-
gimes have been formed, or are in
process Of formation. In both
countries the swing is away from
moderation and in the direction Of a
more intensified nationalism.
Regardless of whoever may be-
come the new Chinese president, it
is a foregone conclusion that he will
take a stronger stand against ia
oan IN Manchuria. Failure to show
fight finally brought President
Chiang's downfall.
Similarly 1t was largely the army's
opposition to Premier Wakatsuke
and Foreign Minister Shidehara, at
Toxic, that forced their resignation
and paved the way for the more
two-fisted regime of Premier K.
Inukai.
More and More INT
The far eastern situation, there
fore, is more fraught with peril to-
day than ever. There is more dyna-
mite in it, and there are more and
hotter sparks.
The administrative changes on the
make in China and Japan, how
ever, have not evoked any official
change of attitude here
Off1cially, it is much the same
as if one political party in this
country had succeeded another
after an election. Personages drop
out, but governments go on. Nam
king continues responsible for Chi
mas acts and Toxic remains respon-
sible for Japan's acts.
Accordingly, the nope here is that,
so far as Manchuria is concerned,
both countries will live up to their
pledges to the League of Nations
council and to Washington-namely
that there will be no further fight
ing and that the situation will be
restored to normal as soon as
possible.
hCy AE ASCStO0SADAC
Nevertheless, beneath this I'M
changed surface there is vastly
altered situation.
In a very definite sense, the
japanese and Chinese governments
of today are more responsible for
events than were their predecessors.
At Marking, according to reports,
the new regime will be a sort of CO.
alition, representing united China
the south, which recently seeded
from Marking, as well as the north.
At Toxic, the party of the late
General Tanaka, proponent OF the
''big stick" in dealing with China, is
in office. This is the party Of the
military faction which, up to now,
actually has made recent Manchu-
rian policy without being interna-
tionally accountable for It,
From now on, this party of Ia
naka, the army and, incidentally of
Premier Inukai, not only will give
orders to General HOMO. Japanese
eeneralissimo in Manehuria, but will
be responsible officially for his acts
in the bargain.
Strain Isn't Relieved
Had the Japanese army taken
Chinchow last week, for example, it
might have been said that General
HOMO had exceeded his authority
and that the Wakatsuke-S hidehara
government at Toxic was not really
to blame.
Now, however, if Chinchow is cap
trlred, there can be no such claim.
Premier WakatSuke and Baron
Shidehara have made their fight
against army control and have lost,
They have gone into retirement.
The military clique not only is in
the saddle now, but is holding the
reins officially.
While all this clarifies the Situa-
ton rather materially, it by no
means relieves the strain. On the
contrary, the feeling of suspense has
deepened. For a new explosion in
Manchuria necessarily could not
fail to be viewed here and by the
league council in an altogether al
tered and oraver light