Evening star., 1932-03-09
The Confused Eastern Situa ton.

AhC SOhA usCu GaolCiu olSud IAoh'
More Japanese troops are landing at
Woosung, although the Chinese forces
are now driven back to the point which
was first set as the distance that
Japan required in clearance of the
area north and west Of Shanghai as a
preliminary to the negotiation for an
adjustment. No explanation Of this
heavy reinforcement is offered. No
advance is made toward a settlement.
What is the purpose of this constant
strengthening Of the Japanese lines?
simultaneously with the arrival Of
the additional units Genes an announce
ment by the commander OF the japanese
forces in the Shanghai area that no
attempt will be made to advance the
main lines At the same time there is
some evidence that the Chinese are
not disposed to organize al immediate
counter offensive They are it would
seem. building new defenses. Gen.
Shirakawa intimates that active prepa-
rations are under way en- the Chinese
side for counter attack. Is this pre-
liminary to fresh onset?
At Geneva discussions continue rela-
tive TO ways and means Of stopping the
fighting at Shanghai Expectation is
expressed in dispatches that much
stronger League warning to Japan" will
be framed than was locked for when
the Assembly began its sessions. This
appears to be due to pressure exerted
by the representatives of the British
dominions, which. with the exception of
India, are urgent for a more strenuous
policy than was favored at first by the
British government. But it does not
follow that even the strongest possible
statement will affect the situation If
Japan Is not disposed to yield to inter
national pressure.
From Toxic comes word that instruc-
tions have been sent to the Japanese
minister to China to seek to negotiate
for q permanent armistice at Shanghai
through representatives OF the neutral
powers. Even this leaves the matter in
doubt. For Just as this message arrives
indications appear that Chang Kai
Shek, reappointed commander in chief
of the Chinese forces, is proceeding to
the front. His position has heretofore
been in doubt. The number of men he
can command for any stout resistance
or for q counter offensive is not known.
Back of the front" in the southern
provinces. are several large armed
groups styled armies" of Communists.
ready for an attack upon the Marking
government Thus the situation is
further complicated.
Meanwhile the organization Of the
new government Of Manchuria proceeds,
under Japanese auspices. Henry Pu
vi, former Emperor of China is today
iona president. Chinese irregular forces
are active in the area between Mukden
and the Korean border The three
eastern provinces" may again become
the scene of active warfare, although
the threat of campaign by a Chinese
army under the command Of Chang
Kai Shek has passed.
Taken altogether the situation in the
Far East is confused and continues
men2cing. The slowness and un-
certainty OF League procedure leave the
world in doubt as to the effectiveness
OF international Intervention in the in
terest Of peace The issues are COM
plex and the presence of two great
armies at Shanghai is menace that
may at any hour precipitate disaster
But as long as Toxic continues to talk
peace hope remains that an adjust
ment may be effected to prevent war on
great scale that may involve otnel
powers than those that are now angrlly
facing one another.
k-oe%-