Evening star., 1932-02-02
Observers Doubt That Japan
Can Conquer Chinese People

Despite the preponderant show Of
strength by Japan in its military activi-
ties in Manchuria and China, especially
in Shanghai many Americans express
doubt that Japan can conquer the hun
dredS OF millions of people in the Chi
nese Republic, with the existing eco
nOmiC boycott by China seen by OBJ
servers as a weapon on par with the
japanese military machine. A further
factor in the settlement of the difficult
ties is recognized in the denunciation
by world opinion Of the 0efinace by
Japan Of universal sentiment for
peace and of her international agree
mentS. Grave possibilities of a con-
tlict involving more than the Orient are
held to exist in the situation, with opin-
ion divided as to the proper course for
the United States and other nations 10
pursue.
"Japan's armies and guns are not
enough. She can't shoot people into
buying her goods" declares the Houston
Chronicle, commenting further that IF
Japan comes out Of this conflict if she
goes into it. great modern power
many an experienced observer will be
surprised" The Cincinnati Times Star
points out: The japanese military
machine is admittedly irresistible in
the Orient. but in colliding with the
economic boycott of a people like the
Chinese it would seem to have met the
immovable body" The Des MoineS
Tribune raises the question as to how
the spontaneous refusal Of 400 900 900
Chinese to buy japanese goods can be
prevented
Potential power in China is seen by
the Charleston IS. c. Evening Post,
which predicts that some day the Chi
nese will come out of their chaos and
present a national front. and against
that the japanese will beat in vain
though that is long way of"
Recognizing in Japan an Eastern ma
ton which is using Western modes OF
warfare" the Providence Journal adds:
Thus we see in the two countries OF
Asia twentieth century instruments Of
enforcing national wills set up against
antique population hoStilities whose cf-
ficacy or inefficacy remains thus far in
fascinating doubt"
While, officially, the blame has not
been placed nor the matter OF which
nation is the aggreSsor settled, the
tendency of the country is to lndlct ia
pan for its actions. Among the news
papers taking this stand is the Albany
Kaickerbocker Press which believes
that sit BODIES i'll for Japan, moving in
with the inSolence of conquerCr, for
1t is certain that the major powers will
not tolerate this attitude indefinitely"
The Rockford Register Republic asserts
that ANY nation that sets itself above
all treaties agreements, rights and in
ternational laws is riding for fall,
and the Sioux City Journal feels that
Toxic is inviting and may provoke &C
ton by the powers leading to rupture
Of both trade and diplomatic relations"
The Jersey City Journal advises that
while "the United States will not go to
war with Japan about China" the for
mcr country has something valuable in
the United States which it is at present
jeopardizing recklessiy-the good opin-
ion of Americans, who have come to
think of Japan as the most civilized
country of the Orient"
Japan's assertion of changed condi-
tionS since ratification OF the Washing
ton treaty as a yindication OF its viola
ton Of its terms lis not impressive in
the opinion OF the Oakland Tribune,
which holds that IAN assertion OF an
intention to make treaty Interpretation
dependent on the state of affairs in
China demands scrutiny"