Evening star., 1937-10-10
High Cost of "Scourge." {"

months of Japan's war on China-tba
so-called North China" episode occurred
on the outskirts of Peiping July 7-Gen-
eral Iwane Matsui, commander in chief
At Shanghai, has issued a public state.
nent defining the objectives of the
japanese expeditionary force and JUS
tl1yng the means employed to attain
snem. In Chinese and foreign quarters
at Shanghai this alibi for aggression
snat has evoked the condemnation of the
League OF Nations and the United States
Is considered Tokio's reply to that verdict
OF guilt, as well as formal notice that
Japan resents its imputation of interna-
tlonal lawlessness and savage war
Waging.
Whatever purpose inspired General
Matsuis superiors in ordering him to
sound off, his outgivings lack nothing
IN candor. Stripped of sanctimonious
groteSquerle about Japan's motives in
throwing 100000 troops into China to
convince her of the invaders altruistic
cooperative" and peace" aspirations.
General Matsui discloses bluntly that the
Japanese program is to "scourge" the
ohlnese government and army and to
snow no mercy to those who obstruct
1t. He Is confident that the day is not
Tar distant when the light of peace will
shine again" The Bushido spirit evi-
oently embraces serene optimism as one
Of its virtues
The military campaign to date hardly
5ustif1es SO rose tinted an outlook. Ninety
days since the incident" at Marco Polo
Bridge find Nippon's banners, it is true.
planted over vast expanse of con-
quered territory. North China has fallen.
including pivotal Hopei Province with
Peiping and Tientsin, while Suiyuan,
Chahar, Shansi and Shantung are i'm
mlnently threatened with the fate of the
regions contiguous to the Great Wall or
are already in semi occupation by the
enemy. Advance columns are now so
close to the Yellow River that the Japa-
nese southern front seems destined
shortly to span that highly strategic area.
Around Shanghai there is another
story, and one the unfolding of which is
costing Japan dearly in life, treasure and
military prestige. There, despite COM
bined intensive efforts of the aggressors
army, navy and air force, Chang Kai-
sheks troops have offered a resistance
which has withstood the fiercest
onslaughts. Superior force in the
Shanghai sector, as in the north, doubt
less will tell sooner or later, but unless
there Is a collapse of Chinese morale
and resources, as yet wholly unindicated,
Matsuis peace and victory beacons will
not shine for while yet. Even possess
sion of the far-fiung territory from Man.
ehukuo to the provinces shielding Canton
would not mean Chinas subjugation.
Meantime, civilian Japan must be un-
dergoing some heart breaking experience
h the high cost Of "scourge." Former
Secretary Of State Stimson's arresting
Indictment Of Japan's primary culpa-
bility for the worlds present woes and
perplexities-a document destined to be-
come one OF the historic state papers of
this anxious time-contains facts and
figures that illuminate the islands situa-
ton with searchlight clarity. They re-
veal, so that all who run may read. what
the Japanese army's plan to crush the
Asiatic neighbor is leading to. The
ie Fo
from self-contained. "She is particu-
lArly dependent upon the outside world
tor her ability TO attack China" Colonel
etimson points out. The Japanese are
able to purchase indispensable raw mate
rails for war only by selling enough of
their own products to obtain requisite
foreign exchange. Aggravating these
basic economic conditions is the fact that
the lot of Japan's industrial workers
the backbone of her capacity to fight
has become progressively more difficult.
Real wages are nearly twenty per cent
below 1881. The cost of living has risen
by twenty-five per cent. I'm short" the
etimson statement explains, "this head
strong little nation, herself on the verge
Of bankruptcy from the efforts Of her
previous adventure in Manchuria, is
seeking to recoup herself by brutal at
tempt to conquer and exploit q popu-
lation over four times her size and COM
posed Of men individually as brave and
tenacious as her own people and who are
ct least their equals in mentality and
civilization"
rhe Matsuis have tall order on their
hands.
r.
The Worm Turns.