Evening star., 1932-02-19
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

oCiNo1NNo IcIuStQ TO continue tliS
Haunting policy Of the militarists.
Similarity Of Parties.
Two parties are facing each other,
both intensely nationalistic. both de-
slrous TO see Japan the foremost power
in the Pacific. The present militaristic
administration had slim majority in
the Diet. 50 slim that new elections
were deemed necessary. especially after
the japanese Parliament, in spite OF
the military success in Manchuria. re-
fused to vote the 30,O00.O00 yen (about
S15OOO,00O) demanded by the govern
ment for the Shanghai expedition and
cut that amount in half, thus pre-
venting the government to proclaim
the general mobilization to which the
Emperor's consent had been obtained.
in order to send to China some 100000
men which the general staff consid-
cred necessary to put through sue
cessfully all the governments plans.
The militarist party has done its ut
most to galvanize nationalist senti-
ment in the country, a sentiment which
has always been strong in Japan, but
this time, on account Of the serious
economic depression, had somewhat
weakened, in view Of the heavy ex-
penditure the Chinese expedition is
COStillk lilC SOuIltiy.
Vast Territory Presented.
The government has presented the
people of Japan, at the psychological
mcment, with Manchuria and Jehol, a
territory as vast as the whole section of
the United States east Of the MiSSis-
Sippi; territory so rich in natural re-
sources that it makes Japan. except for
cotton, completely Self-contained;
territory with enormous untapped re-
sources, such as gold, silver, coal, iron
and shale oil That is no mean present
on the eve Of general election. Few
nations have ever been able to make
such present to their electorate.
The Nationalist government has Is
sued proud ultimatum to the 10000
Chinese troops in the Shanghai area. 1t
was hoped that the Chinese chiefs
would be intimidated and would accept
it. Much has been done in the last few
days to induce the Chinese commander
in chief, Gen. Tsai Ting Kai, to with
draw his troops. According to reports
from Shanghai the japanese have ap-
preached him directly, on the old as
sumption that every Chinese has his
price" and the price offered to Gen.
Tsai was the same that was offered to
the famous Gen. Nah, at present one Of
the governors of Manchuria. Tsai was
told, 1t is said, that if he agreed to
withdraw he would be made governor
of the whole district which surrounds
Shanghai. princely offer for any am
bilious political general.
But, 1t seems that Tsai backed by an
intense popular nationalistic feeling,
the first to be noticed in China in the
last 100 years, has refused.
Now the Japanese government has to
60 ahead and must have the support
Of the country, which they hope will
return extreme nationalistic candidates
in such a number that a successful
prosecution ot~the present campaign
will no longer be handicapped.
Conservative Standing.
Against the militarist government the
so-called conservatives have, according
| to Toxic reports, only slim chance.
The conservatives by no means dis
approve a policy of making Japan the
| foremost empire in the Pacific. but they
! do not believe in the methods adopted
| by the present government. Among
| their main followers there are many
| bankers and important indastrialistS
They favored the Manchurian expedi-
| ton and the annexation of that prov
ince, but fear that Japan is going too
far in Haunting the League of Nations
and the United States. They look a.
| the whole situation, to a certain extent,
| from the point of view of the interna-
| tional banker and industrialist and fear
| that at present Japan's economic and
| financial resources are not sufficient to
adopt an aggressive policy, disregarding
| all treaties and pacts, in spite of the
| fact the world powers seem disunited
1t Is between these two parties that
the electoral fight is taking place Ac-
| cording to Toxic reports, the militar-
| ist party's chances of success are de-
| cidedly better than those of the oppo-
position. 1t is said that the leaders of
the opposition are putting up only a
| Iukewarm fight. The reason for this
lack Of enthusiasm is that they have
| torate return their candidates in q
majority the military cast would appeal
to the Emperor and ask him to con-
slider the present situation as "a great
national emergency" and rule the coun-
try without summoning the Diet. This
| would be tantamount to a military die
tatorship, which the conservatives
4 consider worse than q parliamentary
regime, with a weak opposition.
Platform Of Government.
The platform of the present japanese
government is very clear. The govern
ment wants to occupy the Shanghai
region either by peaceful methods or
] by force. Once this is done they want
| the Chinese government to recognize
churian republic.
This would be the first milestone to-
ward the greater plan which, accord
| "a IN nf
in the Far East, would lead to ac-
complishment of the rest of the jap
anese program-the complete control OF
the Pacific trade routes.
| Some three weeks ago the spokesman
| of the Japanese foreign Office made a
statement to the Japanese and foreign
press indicating that Japan desires to
make peace with China on the basis
that the five principal ports, Chi-Fu,
Kiao- Chiau, Shanghai, Hong -Chau and
| Fu-Chai, should be demilitariZed. This
point of view was considered by the
State Department as absolutely unac-
ceptable to the United States, because
'demilitarization" means japanese con-
troll. It really means that the Chinese
military governments which are in
control of those ports through which
the entire trade of the world with
China passes would eventually be con-
trolled by the Japanese alone. If Japan
obtains the supremacy of those ports
she has China's whole trade in the
hollow of her hand.
| In view of this threat, the Western
powers have been considering in the
course Of the last few days sending an
other note to Japan invoking the nine
power pact. This note has not been
sent yet, the powers waiting for the
results of the Japanese elections.
| Should, however, the present Ma