Evening star., 1937-08-22
BY RUEL w. PATCH.


"A mainland of Asia opened July
with a clash between Chinese and
Japanese troops in the vicinity of
PeipinG. Completely successful in the
Fnsuing hostilities, Japan occupied
Peiping and Tientsin and had no diff
hculty in thoroughly consolidating
her position in that region of North
China. Then. with little warning.
shanghai became the scene of severe
chino-Japanese hostilities. This
course of events closely resembled that
1882, when Japan, having already
mastered Manchuria, found occasion
20 carry the fighting to China'S princi-
pal port city, far from the center of
he original disturbance
The action at Shanghai in 1882 con-
finued throughout the month of Feb
Fuary and was followed by an armistice
agreement that provided in effect for
pemilitarization of a zone around that
pity for an indefinite period. This
agreement, not Of definitive char
Acter, WAS apparently allowed to lapse
papan now insists that it must be re-
Imposed. Her real reason for per-
hitting commencement of hostilities
1t Shanghai is, however, a matter of
speculation. One explanation is that
Japan has taken this step as a means
Pf exerting pressure on Generalissimo
Chlang Kai-shek to agree promptly to
settlement in North China satisfac-
ory to Toxic. 1t seems clear that.
whatever may develop in Shanghai,
Jspan's chief concern is with the
horthern provinces. and that she is
Feekmg showdown with Marking
himed at fulhllment of her policy with
respect to that region.
Manchukuo Created March l. 1892.
On February ls, 1892. five months
% day after the original outbreak of
hostilltles in Manchuria. the inde-
bendence of that area was declared.
Formal creation Of the puppet state of
Manchukuo followed on March l A
'ear later, in March. 1888, Japanese
orces occupied the Inner Monaghan
province of Jehol, which became an
integral part of Manchukuo. Penetra-
bon of North China was already un-
Ter way AS early as January. 1888.
japanese troops captured Shanhaik-
van, the gateway city at the eastern
terminus of the Great Wall. There
Fas further advance in the Spring.
no the Japanese would have occupied
Pelplng and Tientsin. but for con-
lusion OF the 1angku truce on
Nav 81.
Under the published terms of that
greement an area stretching from the
oast 250 miles inland to the borders
Pf Chahar Province. and south from
he Great Wall to within l3 miles of
Peiping, was demilitarized. Chinese
roops were required to withdraw. and
he japanese troops were likewise to
withdraw after organization of a Chi
hese police force to maintain order in
he region. Their evacuation was
ventually accomplished but incur
ions Of irregular Chinese troops in
he neutral zone on several later occa-
ions furnished excuses for renewed
japanese troop movements.
A new crisis was precipitated in
June, 1885, as the result Of "anti-Jap-
nese provoca tons" Japan demanded
removal of the governor Of Hdpeh
Province. In which Peipine and Ten
sin are situated, withdrawal of all CEN
rsl government TROOPS stationed any,
where In that province. prohibition of
lnti-Japanese activities, and accept
lnce of Japanese advice in Hopeh
bhcial appointments. China capit-
plated on every point. Through the
resultant Ho- -Umezu agreement Japan
virtually eliminated Markings inf1u-
nce in Hopeh Province and laid the
basis for her own control Of the region.
Hopeh- Chahar Council Set Up.
Similar events had meanwhile been
aking place in Chahar Province, to
he north of Hopeh and west of Jehol.
In December. 1895, Japan engineered
he establishment at Peiping of the
iopeh- -Chahar Political Council, a
Pemi-autonomous regime for the gov
Frnment Of the two provinces. At the
lame time. an autonomous regime was
Jet up under a Chinese general in that
bart of Hopeh demilitarized by the
angku truce. japanese plans called
originally for establishment of a COM
pletely autonomous regime for the FIVE
northern provinces Of Hopeh, Chahar,
6hantung, Shansi and Suiyuan When
t became evident that this could not
pc accomplished without an extensive
military campaign, upon which Japan
was apparently not then prepared to
he less ambitious project Of semi
autonomous regime for Hopeh and
chahar. The latter provinces were
Ftill subject officially to Nanking,
which sanctioned the new govern
mental arrangement.
Japan''s larger scheme. however, was
By no means abandoned. A series Of
hssassinations Of Japanese subjects
n China in August and September,
1886, led to presentatio of demands
ht Marking, one of which was reliably
reported to call for the immediate
creation of an autonomous North
China. Japan was said to have de-
nanded also that China permit Japa-
hese troops to cooperate closely with
Chinese troops against Communists
md that the Marking government
bgree to accept Japanese among its
foreign advisers. Negotiations con-
kinued for weeks without result Sup
ported by the growing national senti-
ment against Japan, the central gov
ernment leaders refrained from any
hasty capitulations, while the pros
pect OF widespread resistance appar-
Entity kept Japan from pressing her
points insistently.
More recently the central govern
ment had been attempting to restore
rome vestige Of its power in North
China. While Gen. Sung, the pro-
Japanese chairman OF the Hopeh- Cha
har Political Council, confined SYM
pathetic to Tokio's aims, he had in
creasing difnculty in restraining his
troops from clashing with the Japa-
nese. 1t was . detachment Of this