The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-25
Thousands Slain IN
Terrific New Drive
by Japanese Army
Sentiment in
Japan Is Not
All for War
BY MILES w. VAUGHN
United Press Far Eastern Manager
lCopyriEht. 1892. hv United Pressl

tCopyrlRnt. 1857. pY united FreSSl
CHANGHAI, Feb. 25.-A fair
~ and impartial report of the
extraordinary conditions existing
in Japan must include the fact
that a strong liberal bloc of opin-
ion looks upon the Shanghai ex-
petition with little enthusiasm.
In fact, very probably the bulk
of the civilian and so-called navy
element would be glad to be out
of the business altogether, if it
could get out without loss of ma
tional prestige.
On the other hand, perhaps
more important than any other
contributing influence, there are
the Osaka industrialistS. They are
vastly more interested in the
Yangtze valley than in Man.
churia, and they are the ones who
pressed for an active stand in
Shanghai.
They felt the British would GUST
Japanese trade completely because
OF China's anti-Japanese move
ment.
IRON the standpoint of one
Il who has studied and OBJ
served the situation from it's in
ception to the present crisis. in
Japan and outside, the fact seems
more or less floundered into the
adventure and didn't foresee the
present operations.
Now they are likely to re-
quire three OF four army di-
visions and from six to twelve
months time-possibly longer
with a minimum expenditure of
some 100, 000,0 900 yen, or about
$35, 000, 900.
1t must be remembered that ia
pan had some 10000 Nationals in
the Shanghai area and enormous
property interests which national
pride, as well as the realistic con-
dition Of national interest, de-
manded be defended.
At the outset both the Osaka
industrialists and the militarists
believed a mere show of force
would be sufficient to accomplish
their aims. I don't believe any
one thought the stubborn resist
ance the Chinese put up was
possible.
THERE isn't a doubt that the
Il army is worried over extent
of the struggle. Army leaders
realize that the empire faces a
crystallizing hostile world opinion,
which no country would be able to
withstand indefinitely.
Among more frank and out
spoken army men it even ad-
mitted that perhaps the hand had
been overplayed. But these add,
at the same time, that there is
no alternative now but to play
the cards to the end.
Numbers of things have hap
pened that cast interesting lights
over the picture. For example,
an incipient anti-war program
was discovered in the national
military academy at Toxic two
weeks ago. Some cadets were
court-martialed
The navy always has been re-
garded as opposed to extending
the Shanghai conflict.
Il n n
THE so-called "intellectuals"
Il have opposed a war, on the
ground that world opinion would
condemn and isolate Japan. Also,
in this group there has been sus-
tanned the theory that Baron
Kijuro Shideahara is right in his
contention that cooperation be-
tween Chinese and Japanese is
the corner stone of any solution
of their problem that may be
erected.
AS things stand today, however,
there is no doubt that the mill
tary party is in complete control.
How long it will dominate the
political situation is a question I
don't think any one can answer
precisely at this time