Evening star., 1932-02-05
Japan's Reply to the Powers.

J4pans reply to the four-power peace
proposals. is more accommodating to the
possibility Of effective international in
tervention TO check the conflict at
Shanghai than vas at first apparent
from a preliminary statement Of the
position Of the government at Toxic.
In effect Japan leaves open the door of
mediation in China Proper, While it
closes the door OF mediation regarding
the situation in Manchuria.
Japan agrees, first, to cease hostile
acts II 1t is assured that the Chinese
forces will Immediately and completely
stop their menacing and disturbing
activities" II, however, the Chinese,
including both regulars and plain
clothes soldiers, persist In such activi-
ties" Japan reserves full freedom OF
action for its military forces Passing
over the point Of the cause Of the
Chinese resistance, which was induced
by Japan's cwn aggressive action and
which may become the subject of in
such is organized. this agreement may
be accepted as assurance OF a truce
pending settlement Of the primary issue
involved in the invasion of Chinese ter
ritory
A second point advanced by Japan
bears upon the first. In view Of the
unreliableness of the Chinese in the
past and the gravity of the present
situation, the Japanese government
finds it impossible to renounce mob.li-
xation or preparations for hostilities."
In other words, Japan is willing to
check actual operations If the Chinese
cease their "menacing and disturbing
activities" but will not cease prepara-
tionS for war because it does not trust
Chinese assurances. even If they are
given TO the powers.
The third point Of the international
proposal Is met the most squarely of
all though not quite fully. Japan
has no objection to its consul and
commander entering into negotiations
for agreement concerning the separa-
ton of the respective forces and the
esta bliShment, If necessary. of a
neutral zone in the Chapel district"
There may be difference between
entering into negotiations for agree
nent" and agreeing upon such an
arrangement. But the advance toward
some effective means of keeping the
conflict outside OF the area of the
International Settlement Is evident.
The fourth point of the powers
proposal is definitely rejected in so far
as it may possibly bear upon the
question OF Manchuria, which the
japanese government regards as an
entirely separate question from the
Shanghai affair" On this point
Japan is quite frank. 1T is the settled
policy Of the japanese government not
TO accept the assistance of neutral
observers or participants in the settle
ment Of the question concerning Man
ehuria"
1t is TO be noted that there is no
mention in the japanese note of an
agreement to yield the Shanghai
affair to the scope of an international
inquiry or Intervention. 1t Is, how
ever, to be assumed that Japans'will-
ingness 10 suspend hoStilities, II as
sured OF an immediate and complete
cessation OF "menacing and disturb
ing activities" on the part OF the
Chinese, implies willingness to have the
whole case examined by the powers,
though without any pledge to abide by
q decision rendered.
However unsatisfactory this may be,
1t is nevertheless somewhat Of gain
toward at least the suspension of major
activities. 1t remains now for the
powers, II they accept the japanese
reply as the ultimate that can be
secured,~to employ their good otdces"
with China to obtain guarantees that
will meet the Japanese requirement
stated in the response to the first point.
1t is intimated in dispatches from
Shanghai that Chinese politics is play
ing mischievous part in the case
The virtual collapse OF the Cantonese
government, the presence at Marking
OF two Of the war lords" who have
heretofore bitterly fought Chang Kai
Shek, and the temperance of Chang
Kai Shek himself as commander of the
Chinese forces render the situation
difficult to gauge and perhaps difficult
for effective international representa-
tons.