Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-01-12
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page ~

(COnt1nOGQ IRON rage
With the exception of the attack
on Shanghai one year ago this was
the first Japanese invasion of China
proper during the last few years. And
Japan made it very effective, killing
civilians and Chinese soldiers by the
hundred, in fact, some estimate the
number of deaths at 5000.
China, reasonably enough, saw In
this latest aggression an indication Of
Japan's desire to conquer Jehol and
Mongolia in order to consolidate and
strengthen her positions in and near
Manchuria, and Immediately dis
patched a note of protest to the
League of Nations in Geneva.
Nothing to be Done.
Disappointment during the past
year should have taught China the
utter futility of appealing to the
League, as it is at present constituted,
but just to be on record. she sent
off her protest about which nothing
has yet been done. And. what is
more. nothing will likely be done
about it.
London, Paris and Washington
three of the centers of world events
seemingly agree that international
interference in the Chinese-J apanese
affairs, no matter in what form at
tempted, is bound to be ineffective.
War might be tried. of course-war
and boycott, but no power is at the
present time inclined to resort to
these extreme measures.
Japan is aware of the avowed i'm
potence of all other powers, and-acts
accordingly.
And China herself begins to realize
that there is not much to hope for:
In London, the Chinese ambassador,
DR.. Quo, has made the statement that
the League must act now, otherwise
Chinese faith in it will utterly van
ish: he went so far as to intimate
that his country may renounce men,
bership in the League if the present
inactivity is continued.
May Try Defense.
Feeling, pessimistically, that there
isn't much to expect from Europe and
America, Field Marshal Chang Kai-
shek. seemingly the real ruler of
China, is attempting to arouse public
sentiment in favor of real war of
defense against Japan, but. in the
first place, the Chinese are tradi-
tionally pacific and hate war most
sincerely, and, in the second place,
members of the government fear the
consequences and are urging the
viewpoint that the Shanhaikwan at
tack was a merely local affair.
At the beginning of this week ru-
mors were afloat that some agree
ment had been made between Japan
csc and Chinese generals for a con-
ference about Shanhaikwan, but at
the same time it was reported that
Japanese bombing planes were flying
above some of the Chinese cities,
causing death and destruction indis-
criminatingly.
For the moment the situation can
be summed up in this statement:
Japan still holds that very important
part of Manchuria which she has
brazenly established as state"
under the name of Manchukuo, and
also is in possession of Shanhaikwan
the very key to JehOl and Mon
golia. which are conceded to be the
next goals of her imperialistic ambi-
lions.
Customs Union.
While a crisis is still developing
in Asia, new trouble is brewing on
the Balkan peninsula, comprising,
among other countries, the republic
of Albania, adjacent to Jugo-Slavia.
Italy has on several occasions tried
to make Albania her own special
sphere of interest, has even tried to
make that country an italian pro-
tectorate. Not fully succeeding in
this, the Italian government is now
attempting to compel Albania to con-
clude with it a customs-union treaty,
favoring Italian trade.
Jugo-Slavia, always fearing Italian
aggression, protests against this move,
and will most likely be supported by
both Great Britain and France. For
it is realized that Italy is not pri-
marily interested in obtaining trade
advantages with a country as small
and commercially unimportant as AL
bania; no, what Italy seems to crave,
is increasing political influence on
the Balkan peninsula. France sus-
poets such a motive-and France
should know since she herself is con-
stantly trying to expand her political
influence in Central Europe under
the guise of trade agreements.
Tension between Italy and Jugo-
Slavia has been apparent for several
years. 1t may now be approaching
climax.
Less "Jufce."
Russia's government has decreed
that users of government-furnished
electricity must cut down their con-
Sun, rf ion nor cont Those vuhn