Evening star., 1937-09-05

city. Great Britain notified both
Japan and China on August l8
that il governments Of the two
countries agreed to withdraw their
forces mutually and to entrust to
foreign authorities the protection
OF Japanese subjects residing in
the Internal tional Settlement and
ish government was prepared to
undertake the responsibility pro-
vided other powers cooperate.
Agreement of 1892
Violated by Chinese.
The next dav. August 10, We
were informed by the French gov
ernment Of their readiness to sup
port the British proposal The
American Government also previ-
ously expressed hope for the sus-
pension of hostilities in the Shang-
hal area. Japan. having as great
interests in Shanghai as these
powers, is equally solicitous for
peace in the city. But. as has been
stated above. actions taken by the
Chinese in and around Shanghai
are plainly in violation of the truce
agreement in 1882 in that they il
legitimatelv moved their regular
troops into the zone prescribed by
that agreement and increased both
the number of armaments and the
Peace Preservation Corps and in
that relying on their numerical
superiority they challenged the
landing party and the civilian pop
ulation Of our country.
sTherefore. in their reply to the
British proposal our government
explained in detail Japan's success
sive efforts toward peaceful solu-
ton as well as the truth regarding
the lawless Chinese attacks and
stated that the hostilities in Shane-
hal could not be brought to an end
save through the withdrawal of
Chinese regular troops from the
prohibited zone and of Peace Pres
ervation Corps from front lines. At
the same time. our sincere hope
was expressed that Great Britain,
as one OF the parties to the truce
agreement. use her good Offices to
bring about the withdrawal of the
Chinese troops outside of the pro-
scribed zone. Similar replies were
sent to France and America.
As for North China, in willful dis
regard OF various pledges and
agreements. the Chinese central
armies moved northward to indulge
in a series of provocative actions.
and large forces began to pour into
the Province of Chahar. Our gov
ernment. therefore, has had to
take determined steps.
Thus hostlities now spread from
North to Central China, and Japan
finds herself engaged in major
conflict with China on extended
fields. am deeply panied to say
that some $4,000 Japanese resi-
dents in various parts of China
have been forced to evacuate, leav-
ing behind them their huge invest
ments and their business interests,
acquired through years Of arduous
toll and other interests, while not
few of them have been made VIC
Tins Of hostilities. 1t is also to be
regretted that the nationals OF
other countries in China are being
subjected to similar trials and
tribulations.
Undertake to Incite
Opinion Against Japan.
All this is due to no other cause
than that the Marking government
and also local militarist regimes in
China have for many years in the
past deliberately undertaken to in
cite the public opinion against
Japan AS means Of strengthening
their own political powers and, in
conclusion, with Communist ele-
ments. they still further impaired
Sino-Japanese relations. Now our
loyal and valiant soldiers, with the
united support OF the nation behind
them, are engaged in strenuous
campaigns night and day amid in
describable hardships and priva-
tions. We cannot but be moved to
hear their heroic sacrifices as we'll
as their brilliant achievements.
1t is hardly necessary to say that
the basic policy of the Japanese
government aims for the stabiliza-
tion of East Asia through concilia-
ton and cooperation between
Japan, Manchukuo and China for
the common prosperity and we'll
being. Since China. ignoring our
true motive, mobilized her vast
armies against US, we can do no
other. than to counter it by force
Of arms.
The urgent need at this moment
Is that We take resolute attitude
and compel China to mend her
ways. Japan has no other objec-
tive than to see happy and tran
quill North China and all China
freed from danger Of recurrence Of
such calamitous hostilities as at
present. and Sino-Japanese rela-
tions 50 adjusted as to enable us
70 put into practice our ahove-men.
toned policy. La Us hope the