Evening star., 1935-10-31
A Showdown i'm China?


Statecraft, as distinguished from
craftsmanship, often manifests itself as
the art of opportunism-of taking ad-
vantage of fortuitous circumstances and
moving toward an objective when those
who might ordinarily oppose such pro-
cedure are preoccupied in other direc-
tions. Germany struck in 1914, under
the impression that Europe was too alb
sorbed to offer serious resistance to Ber-
Inns war program. Japan esSayed her
Manchurian adventure in 1881, as she
envisioned Western world immersed
in the problems of depression.
Looking at the Occident today. the
Japanese appear to be convinced that
the hour is ripe for a new move against
China. Far Eastern dispatches report
that Toxic believes Europe to be en-
crossed so deeply in the Italo- Ethiopian
situation and Mussolinis war with the
League that unprotected pressure to
establish Japanese domination in North
China can now be applied with slight
risk of outside interference.
There are indications that Japan is
prepared to 60 the length of separating
North China and creating there an
autonomous state on the model of Man
chukuo. The Chinese are confronted
by three irreducible minima-suppreSsion
of "anti-JapaneSe agitation acceptance
of economic cooperation" and preven-
ton with japanese assistance" if neceS-
sary, of communist influence in Mon
golia. That acquieScence in these de-
mands would amount to handing over
North China to the japanese war lords
almost sgoes without saying. Formal
protests by Tokio'S military and con-
sular spokesmen in Peiping and Tientsin
this week had the force of an ultimatum.
1t left no doubt of the seriousness Of
Japan's purposes. Military forces are
said to be ready to enforce them on an
instant's notice.
Occupation of Manchuria was justi-
fled on the grounds of japanese need
for a colonization outlet and raw mate
rails. The urgency of suppressing BAN
ditry was advanced as another reason
for large military invasion. The
current drive against North China is
based on the communist peril said to be
menacing that region. Vast areas, Japan
alleges, are ready to succumb to Soviet
ism, as a welcome alternative to chronic
Nationalist misgovernment. The Japa-
nese profess that they have mission not
to let a Red Army regime or any other
Moscow inspired movement fasten itself
upon the heart of Asia under any con-
ditions. China is practically on notice
that unless Chang Kai-Shek and his
Nanking authorities effectually check the
growth of communism in the north,
Japan herself will undertake the task.
Matters are rapidly heading toward
crisis, with yielding to the japanese or
use of force as the grim alternative.
Another contingency is an independent
uprising in North China, in which the
Japanese would probably not wholly
occupy the role of innocent bystanders.
Japan is no longer within the jurisdic-
ton of the League. Aggression in China
cannot subject her to sanctions like those
about to be imposed against Italy. But
the emphasis laid on the communist
origin of japanese grievances foreshad-
ows that the Soviet Union might not be
content to remain aloof indefinitely from
the situation Japan seems determined to
provoke. Should Moscow be impelled
to take hand, the long-feared clash
between the two great Far Eastern
powers would automatically ensue. Under
existing international conditions, the U.
S. S. r. is about the only barrier to
the attainment of Japan's Chinese
objectives.
1t looks as if Toxic were ready for a
showdown.