Evening star., 1932-02-29
A Way to Peace at Shanghai.

Evidences appear that disposition
prevails at Toxic to effect Ell adjust
ment of the situation at Shanghai short
of an actual military success. Tentative
negotiations have been instituted, a
meeting between representatives OF
Japan and China having been arranged
on board British warship This meet
ing, it is explained. was held at the re-
quest of Japan. Reports state that
Japanese proposal was advanced that
each side withdraw to a distance that
could not be spanned by artillery fire,
the validity of the withdrawal to be
investigated by joint Sino-Japanese
committee and supervised by neutral
observers, if China so desires. The pro-
position included the suggestion OF
round-table conference after the with
drawal, including delegates. of the two
contending powers and "all nationalities
interested in the International Settle
ment," to consider proposals to protect
Chinese and all foreign interests In
Shanghai, formulate plan for the fu-
ture status of Greater Shanghai and
agree upon a plan for the policing OF
the zone which Japan insists must be
evacuated by the Chinese armies.
These suggestions may not prove to
be Immediately practicable, but it Is
evident that a disposition prevails on
Japan's side to bring about settlement
without major warfare, although heavy
reinforcements are being landed by
Japan in the Shanghai area, with the
view of further operations. 1t is now
quite plain that the japanese campaign
of aggression has failed. Further sacrl-
fees will not materially change the
situation, even though the Chinese lines
may be driven back to some extent. At
whatever point the invading forces may
be pushed there will still remain the
problem of final settlement, which can
not be solved by the permanent hold
ing Of Chinese territory by Japan.
The immediate necessity is for Japan
10 find way to cease aggressive action
without confessing defeat. The pro-
posal of an enlargement of the area Of
international control at Shanghai Is
apparently regarded at Toxic as step
in that direction. If Japan can effect
an adjustment on the basis Of the
creation of a wider zone within which
China may not assemble forces 1t will
perhaps have gained the stopping point
which will enable it to proclaim the at
tainment of the objective that was
sought at the outset.
The good offices of the other powers
may well be employed to the end Of
such settlement as provisional ar
rangement, leaving for future consider
alton the matter of reparations. The
vitality important point at present is to
stop the hostilities. Both sides must
be brought to measure the grave in
jury to their respective interests that
will be caused by further fighting. The
fierce antagonism that has been evoked
will not be lessened by continued con-
fiict, but will rather be increased.
Japan's economic welfare demands the
suspension of hoStilities, which are
daily increasing the i'll feeling of neu-
tral nations. China must sooner or
later face the consequences of yielding
In any degree to Japan's demands in
terms Of internal dispute and perhaps
civil war inflamed by the fierce fac
tional rivalries that for the moment are
suppressed in the face Of invasion.
Neither side stands to gain by fur
ther conflict. This is apparently real
lied now by both Of the contestants.
The way to peace through an adjust
ment, whether effected directly be-
tween the opponents or through the
intermediation of the neutral powers,
should be welcomed at both Nanking
and Toxic.