Evening star., 1935-01-31
japan, Soviet and China.

Japan, Soviet and China.
Despite conflicting statements and
official denials at Marking and Toxic,
it is difficult to escape the conclusion
that fateful arrangements for a new
Sino-Japanese compact are under dis
cussion between Gen. Chang Kai-Shek
and the japanese government. On the
face of circumstantial reports appear
ing in Toxic, the negotiations contem-
plate nothing short of a japanese
overlordship Of all China. These
developments follow by little more
than week japanese Foreign
Minister Hirota's ominouS expression
of hope that China would awake to
a realization of the situation in East
Asia and undertake to meet the genu-
inc aspirations of our country"
What some of these aspirations"
are is disclosed by the Toxic Nichi
Nichi's account of the new policy.
Conditional on China's acceptance OF
japanese leadership. this version has
it, Japan would exchange ambassadors
instead of ministers with China; take
over China's defense as that OF
Manchoukuo has been assumed; con-
clude with China a separate treaty
nullifying the nine-pOwer and other
treaties to which outside powers are
parties: supply China with military
adviser on condition that she dismiss
Americans and Europeans now serving
the Nanking and provincial govern
mentS establish permanent deRili-
tarized zone in North China, and,
finally, assist China to secede from
the League of Nations in further
abandonment of her policy of obtain
ing help from America and Europe.
This purported agenda of japanese
aspirations" comes on the heels OF
recent military operations in Chahar,
which is now practically within the
Japanese -Manchoukuoan sphere COM
pretending neighboring Jehol.
The Sino-JapaneSe negotiations are
supposed to have as a major purpose
Joint measures of protection against
the Soviet Union and the suppression
of Communists Proclamation of this
particular object comedies with the
meeting of the seventh All-Union
Congress of Soviets in Moscow, at
which their growing military power is
being vociferously glorified. The con-
greSS was Informed on Wednesday
that the Red Army has grown during
the past four years from 100000 to
100000 men. War is being inten-
sively prepared against us" Vice Com
nissar TuchacheffSy exclaimed, but
let our enemies try our borders and
the strength of our army" he added
defiantly as the vast throng of dele
gates sprang to its feet and shook the |
walls of the ancient Kremlin with its
frantic cheers.
While the Moscow congress was
receiving impressive assurances of !
mounting Soviet military power the
Japanese Diet heard from the minis
ters of war and the navy that their |
pending record budgets totaling s297,-
100000 are required to meet the f!
Soviet menace" to Manchoukuo, and
that no tightening of the burden is
to be expected within the visible fu-
ture.
Plainly, the Sino-Japanese-S Soviet |
situation reeks with gunpowder. Japan |
has now embarked upon her policy |
of Asia for the ASiaticS and is prepar-
ing to fortify herself against all comers
who venture to thwart it. China seems
earmarked to be the chief victim of |
the program, though ostensibly cast
in the role of beneficiary. There is
unfortunately too much reason to
fear that Gen. Chang Kai-Shek, long |
suspected of playing Japan's game, is
now promoting her aspiration" to in |
trench herself irresistibly in China.