Montana labor news., 1937-09-02
Japan, Out 10 Conquer
Raw Materials, Comes
10 FACE With New China
By GRACE GRANICH
Federated Press

order of the day in China. The
japanese army has decided to take
by force what it has been unable to
acquire in the past year by preten-
sions of 'friendliness."
Japan needs north China if it is
to succeed in its grandiose schemes.
Upon the possession of this important
continental corridor pivots the sue
cess or failure of japanese agrees
sion. Strategically it places Japan
in a position where it can direct its
aggression against the Soviet Union
on another front, or when its plans
have matured, bring its Fascist men
ace right into the heart of China.
But of more vital and immediate
Importance is the acquisition of the
mineral and agricultural resources of
north China to ease the terrific strain
on the Japanese financial structure.
Japan has been buying coal, iron,
cotton, salt, wool, wheat and other
basic essentials in the world market
for its expanding war industry. 1t
had to pay by depicting its gold re-
serves.
North China can provide all these
basic materials at insignificant cost.
AT the same time, Japan would free
itself from dependence on potential
enemies for its sinews of war.
In the past two years Japan has
stepped up its tempo to gather this
vital area into its avaricious arms.
Army chieftains have held almost
weekly meetings, and their plans
have been as manifold as their meet
ings. Their espionage agents roamed
everywhere. Three thousand ronin
(gangsters) battered at the financial
stability of China by carrying on a
smuggling traffic of unbelievable
volume, while japanese military
chieftains stood benignly by.
Drug peddlers and manufacturers
received japanese blessings and
operated under protection of the
Japanese flag. To those in official
positions, who would accept Japa-
nese brides, came flattering gifts of
money. Others, who resisted these
enticements, had to listen to ominous
threats.
Despite all this, the semi-independ-
ent Hopei-C hahar Political Council
retained a waning grip over the ter
ritory. Gen. Sung Chuy-yuen, COM
mander of the 29th army, garrison
ing portions of Hopei, was, with the
council, forced to take the brunt of
japanese intrigue, which followed its
usual pattern and ignored the ma
tional government, hammering away
at local officialdom.
Total result to the Japanese was
negligible. They extorted some
promises of economic cooperation,
but their own empty Golfers failed
to affect materially the economic life
of the provinces. Chinese were re-
luctant to place their capital at the
disposal of the Japanese. The eco
nomic program for the control of
these northern provinces was in a
state of collapse. Insistent demands
of the Japanese upon Gen. Sung to
help retrieve their tottering position,
only drove him to quieter retreats
where he would not be forced to
listen to the almost daily harangues
of the japanese.
Other factors have come to upset
japanese intrigue. A new spirit Of
national unity made itself felt
throughout the country. The unity
ing process has been going on in
China since December, 1885, when
the students of Peiping first raised
the banner of national salvation in
answer to japanese attempts to steal
the five north provinces by a So
called autonomous movement I'M
der the leadership of japanese ronin
and traitors.
The slogan raised, mo more civil
war;" "Chinese do not fight Chi
nese," Down with Japanese imper-
ialism," and Recover our lost terri
tories" found a ready response among
all strata of China's population. Natl.
Salvation Assns. sprang up every
where. The movement gathered IT.
resistible momentum.
This was the situation at the out
break of hostilities. Immediately the
people spoke, demanding that the
government lead them in a war of
resistance. This was no longer only
the voice of the vanguard-the Natl.
Salvation Assns.-but of all the peo-
pie of China. For the first time in
modern Chinese history, there is
unity of purpose between the people,
the armies and the central govern
ment. The people of China believe
that the time of final sacrifice has
come and they r ready and deter
mined to give their energies and
their lives to insure a successful out
come to the war which they believe
inevitable.