Milford chronicle., 1937-08-27

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Not since 1917 has a major nation
declared war. Yet in the interven-
ing years there have been a number
of far-reaching, sanguinary con-
fiicts. What might be termed Mars
modern technique does not require
formal declaration OF war-armies
are modified, soldiers and civilians
are slaughtered, cities are devastat-
ed and governments change even
while, officiaily speaking, actual war
does not exist.
In Italy's Ethiopian campaign, for
example, war was not declared-but
the result of the invasion was to
eliminate the Ethiopian Monarchy
and make the country into an Ital-
ian colony governed by the italian
Military. Russia and France have
not declared war on the Spanish In
surgents, nor have Germany and
Italy broken off relations with the
Spanish Government-yet 1t is no Sc
cret that Frances cause has been
kept alive with the aid Of German
and Italian troops and equipment,
while the Government forces would
have collapsed long since had 1t not
been for Russian airplanes and ar
maments and French military ex-
perts. To-day in the Far East the
world is again witnessing a war
without declaration of war that Is
of the most significance not only 10
the nations involved, but to the Wes-
tern World as well.
Japan has gone to the limit In re-
cent years to build up her army and
navy. For a small country. she mas
an amazingly military machine, far
superior to that Of the Chinese-
though China herself has made pro-
gress in unifying and Strengthening
the country. China's greatest weak
ness has always been the corruption
of her local governments-as Oswald
Garrison Willard has written, The
purchasing of Chinese statesmen and
generals is Japan's long suit; 1t has
advanced her and her policy OF con-
quest far more rapidly than have her
rifles and cannon" The central,
Nanking government has usually
proven unable to control the super
abundant local War Lords-eacn
with his own interest at heart ana
each suspicious of the others. The
situation as it exists in China, is as
if each American state governor mad
a great private army which he could
use for any purpose he wishes. even
to the extreme of fighting the armies
of ueighboring governors.
AS a consequence, plus Japans
far more efficient and modern war
machines, it is believed certain tnat
the Japanese will encounter reia-
lively little trouble in conquering the
north provinces. She will take over
cities and accomplish destruction on
a vast scale, and probably replace
present local governments with pup
net Chinese governments controlled
by the Japanese, as she did in Man
churia. But in the long run, Japans
chances of success are dubious.
China is a tremendous country, with
the largest population in the world.
Not since the dawn of history has II
been permanently conquered-over
a period of many years, the invaders
intermarry with the Chinese and are
virtually swallowed by the immense
country. China has more than halt
a billion people as against Japans
75,OO0,00O.
Furthermore, it seems inconceiv-
able that japan will be permitted by
other powers to advance unhindered
into China. Russia is strongly anti |
Japanese and will, if matters go far |
enough, throw her resources to the |
side of China. And If it came down
to a Russo-Japanese war, most mil
itary experts think the bear would
win.
England will attempt to limit ia
pans conquest m the interest OF her
own trade, and so, in all probability. |
will the United States and France.
And lastly, 1t is a question whether
Japan's financial resources are suff1-
cient to stand a long struggle-to-
lay more than SO per cent of her
budget is earmarked
Ior the army and navy, and she has
| soaring national debt.
So here is another grave threat to
world peace-the gravest, perhaps
hat has yet appeared. Whether war
5 actually declared is only of theo-
'etical importance-to all intents
md purposes major war is now
In the Far East, and in
erests directly affecting every ma
ion in the world are involved.
600
A Business Week survey shows
hat business activity averaged 10
Ier cent higher in the first six
months of 1887 than in the same per-
cd last year.
Steel production rose 35 per cent;
production IL per cent;
esidential construction 54 per cent;
umber production 8 per cent; cleo
ric power output 13 per cent; fac
Dry payrolls 20 per cent and, fac
Dry employment 13 per cent.
Farm prices rose Is per cent;
obstruction costs zoomed 13 per
ent; and department store prices
pped per cent. Stocks averaged
8 per cent higher and bonds per