The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-12
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES


L middle of the nineteenth century Japan and
China pursued a policy of exclusion and isola-
tion This attitude was based upon religious
prejudice and provincialism.
A new policy of exclusion is now being formu-
lated and put into practice by Japan under the
name of 'the Japanese Monroe Doctrine" This
is based upon economic elf-interest and political
imperialism. 1t aims to give Japan position Of
dominance in the Far East and, more and more,
to exclude western economic interests and polit-
ical penetration.
1t is this which lies at the roots of the pres
ent crisis in the relations between Japan and
China What Japan demands is admirably stated
by Nathaniel PETER, leading authority on the
Far East in the current number of Asia
China must sign quit-caim on what is now
Manchoukuo and accord that so-called state full
recognition. 1t must give verbal assurances that
the obstinate resistance it permitted itself in 1881
and 1882 will not be repeated in the event OF
similar incidents. 1t must give most explicit
assurances that it will not again call on the
western powers for help as it did in those years
or ask or expect them to intervene as referees or
adiudicators in future disputes AS token of
sincerity in this regard it must dismiss, one at
time and not too ostentatiously, such western adj
viserS in its employ. And in mani
feStation of continued sincerity it will never con-
tract any loans from western powers or permit
them to give it military assistance or advice"
IN n.
1V1 time being China must certainly submit
to Japanese aggression and oppression.
My guess would be- both from present in
dcations and Chinese official psychology, that
the denouement will not have to be precipi-
tated The world will be confronted with an
accomplished fact, to all outward appearances
with Chinas conSent-that is, with the consent
of the legally recognized government of China.
My guess is that the Chinese government will
consent if submission to implied duresS can be
called consent.
My principal reason for so believing is that
do not see what else China can do. Fight?
With what? With ragged, disgruntled troops
Differed by men who have never really handled
more than a division stated by a command
which has never functioned a staff? With
few planes and half-trained pilots and arma-
ment on the scale of nineteenth century war
fare? Depend on these against one of the most
powerful and technically best equipped military
machines in the world?
The last four years have shown that it can
expect no help from the West. If it got
in 1881 when Europe was relatively tranquil,
what can it expect now that Europe is itself
war camp at truce? Are Great Britain and
France likely now to squander military energy
and resources in Asia? AS for the United
States, it has made so many threats and issued
so many injunctions in the Far East, which
have been allowed to stand as documentary
curiosities, that the Chinese-and perhaps also
the japanese, which is dangerous factor in the
situation-have come to regard it as negligible"
XXTHILE japanese aScendency in the present
w phase of Far Eastern affairs can hardly be-
doubted, Mr.. PETER believes that the new ex-
cluSioniSm" of Japan can not be permanently
maintained China submits today merely to
await better time, and the West is too deeply
| involved in Far Eastern affairs to stand aside:
Unfortunately perhaps for the West no less
| than for Japan, the Eastern World can not be
eliminated AS geography decreed the passing
of western political and economic dominance in
| the Far East in Japan's favor. so history pre-
cludes the permanent elimination of the West
ern World from the Far East. AS imperial con-
queror the West is already eliminated. If Jap
anese expansionism had not accomplished that,
Chinese nationalism would have.
But for actual and permanent exclusion
| from the Far East it is too late. hundred years
has established too many presidents and vested
interests. both psychological and economic. AS
only force can prevent japanese paramountcy in
the present phase. so only Japanese army and
navy strong enough TO conquer the principal
western powers can maintain an eighteenth-cen-
fury wall around China again. The japanese
Monroe Doctrine for Eastern Asia is a mirage.
If the American Monroe Doctrine had been
enunciated 100 years later it would have been a
1 mirage tOO.n