Evening star., 1935-11-11
Shanghai Again.

Ever since Mussolini launched his
African campaign, widespread fear has
prevailed that Japan's militarists would
seize upon the worlds preoccupation
with the peril of a general war as an
opportune occasion for fresh aggression
in China. Several recent events seemed
to presage such drive. In October
the Japanese presented demands which
aimed at little less than the separation
of North China and the creation OF
another independent state south Of
the Great Wall on the Manchukuo model.
Last week, as token of rising Chinese
popular resentment of Japan's preten-
sions and too complacent Marking at
titude toward them, an attempt was
made on the life of Wang Ching Wei,
Gen. Chang Kai-Shek's premier. There
was evidence of desire to punish Wang
and his superiors for what is considered
their supine pro-Japanese policy.
During the present week end, on the
pretext of avenging the killing of one
of their uniformed comrades by an un-
known assailant, two thousand Japanese
marines, mobilized from warships in
harbor, marched into the demilitarized
section of Shanghai, where they are still
in possession. While the Chinese popu-
lace is fleeing in state of panic and
terror, fearful of sahguinary events like
those of 1882, japanese naval and diplo-
matte authorities are making imperious
demands upon local Chinese officials for
apprehension and punishment of the
perpetrator of the assault. who is alleged
to be some diabolical Chinese enemy CT
Japan.
The impression will be inescapable in
the outside world that Japan, as in the
case of the previous Shanghai affair, is
again seeking justification for punitive
action designed to strengthen her grip
on China. One suggestion is that the
navy, not wishing to be outdone by the
army's patriotic activities in the north,
is bent upon martial exploits of its own
in the Shanghai region, where it per.
haps thinks it can do a better job than
the ill-starred military adventure In
Chapel on the former occasion. There
is as yet no evidence that the invaders
plan to extend their zone of occupation
or embark upon armed operations. but
they are calling for the fullest CO.
operation" of the Chinese in tracking
down the culprit and are prepared to
remain until satisfaction is obtained.
Grave consequences may be avoided,
particularly complications involving the
adjacent International Settlement, where
both British and American interests are
extensive, but this latest Shanghai epl-
sode is ominous proof of Japan's un-
quenchable purpose to exploit the merest
incident to advance her program for
progressive domination Of China 1t
may be more than mere coincidence that
protest over the shooting of a marine
synchronizes with a violent outburst
over Chinas reform of her currency
system without Japanese consent. There
is special objection to proposed $50,-
100000 British loan. Toxic spokesmen
thunder that Britain seeks to reduce
China to "semi-colonial status" This
naive outcry symbolizes the theory that
Japan is the indisputable mistress of
Chinas destinies. It is the newest
manifestation of Tokio's proclamation Of
two years ago that other powers must
keep hands off in the Far East. Evil
IDENTIFY it is considered that John Bull,
in particular, is in no position at this
critical hour to check or challenge Japa-
nese projects in China. The war lords
waters.