Evening star., 1937-09-12
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


4 THE time this article is writ
~ ten the battle of Shanghai is
4 \ raging with the same fury as
on August 13, when it started
This battle, which is taking larger
toll OF life than the struggle for Ver-
dun, is primarily political contest,
Chang Kai-shek has thrown in the
best OF his divisions, some 100, 900 men,
while another 10000 well-trained
soldiers are in reserve on the Nam
king Shanghai lines.
Chang Kai-shek does not really care
what happens to the metropolis of the
East. Strategically, the Importance of
that city is relatively small-politically
however, it means good deal. Shang-
hal Is an international city where
British, Americans, French, Holland
ers, Italians and Swedes have prop
erty valued at anything between one
and one and half billion dollars.
Modern Shanghai has been built en-
tirely by westerners and the life work
OF these people now Is at stake 1t
has foreign garrison of close to 49,
900 men belonging to four nations
The longer Chinese resistance lasts,
the greater is the chance of drawing
at least one or two of the principal
investors into the fight.
I Accidents involving the lives of nu-
{rp~ n~,I L. - e.
eign men-of-war already have oc-
CURED, and thus far the western pow
ers have taken philosophical view.
But the Chinese hope something more
serious may develop In such an even
tuality, the western governments may
lose patience and engage themselves in
direct controversy with the japanese
government. 1t is for this reason that
the Nanking generalissimo has left the
northern borders in the hands of ques-
tionable troops who are harassing,
rather than fighting, the invaders;
meanwhile, with the bulk of his forces,
he personally directs the defense of
Shanghai
Japanese Confident in Course.
The Japanese recognize the posi-
bilities Of forcing some of the foreign
powers into the conflict. But they
are over -conf1dent-they feel that the
growing tension in Europe will make it
impossible for Great Britain, the larg-
est stockholder in Shanghai, to move
a single ship from European waters;
they know that the French, whose in
ternational problems are confined to
one subject-Germany-would rather
abandon everything than embark on
an adventure in-the Far East. And
they believe-despite hints to the con-
trary-that the United States even-
tually will acquiesce to de facto sit
uation when and If it occurs.
They believe that now, as in 1882,
the American public would rather see
Uncle Sam pull out of the Far East
than risk conflict with first-class
power These views explain the firm
and adamant attitude of the Toxic
government. They are doubtless cor
rect in their appraisal of the European
situation.
Great Britain is longing to take a
whack at Japan, but she is powerless.
The mysterious sinking Of British and
other shipping IN the Mediterranean,
and the insult to the British flag
by attacks from unknown submarines
OF the Spanish mainland have added
to the British troubles. Great Britain
has equally important interests in Eu-
rope and the Far East. But at the
present time she cannot handle both
situations. She must overlook one
to the detriment of the other And
while her position in the Far East is
considered by many to be more vital
from the imperial point of view
Europe is nearer home. This is why
Downing street is anxious to cooper
ate heartily with "Old Sam" 1t hopes
that if Japan has to be taught les
son, the Americans will do it.
Soviet Assures Arms.
Two weeks ago another power in
tected into the Japarese-Chinese con-
flict. The u. S. S. r. signed treaty
OF non-aggression with the Nanking
government. If we omit the usual
trappings which surround such non
aggression" treaties, the kernel of the
pact-unpublished- that the Soviet,
in consideration for certain things
which, for the time being, remain
secret, will provide Chang Kai-shek
with certain war materials and equip
ment which exist in large quantities
in Siberia-especially tanks, airplanes
and poison gas. Chang Kai-shek
knows that sooner or later he will
not be able to draw from American
and European war supplies; the only
road open will be the long but COM
paratiyely safe Siberian -Mongolian-
Chinese caravan track over which
tanks can be dispatched.
The injection of the Soviets into
the Far Eastern struggle may Gre
ate an international confederation
such as the western chancelleries
have feared for the last three years.
The Japanese-German pact of 1886,
TO combat communism and assist
each other by an exchange of infor-
nation and by diplomatic action
may be invoked by Toxic. This pact
II considered in the light OF what
Berlin and Toxic have found ex-
pedient TO tell the rest of the world
appears innocuous enough But it is
safe to speculate that its real mean
Ing Is to fight the Moscow govern
ment at the first opportunity. And
that opportunity may offer itself in
the near future.
Germany Mysterious.
The japanese have announced that
they are not fighting the Chinese peo,
pie, but Chang Kai-shek The
strategy is that Toxic does not quite
know what Hitler intends to do. Fol
that matter, neither do the other ma.
tions. The British Ambassador ir
Berlin, Sir Neville Henderson, has triec
TO find out, but he is reported TO hav,
had little luck so far.
Should Hitler voice objection Il
mixing of the Soviet in the Far East
there is little doubt that the Euro
Dean DouerS will odor,t fnuard A e;,