Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-28
Brussels and Shanghai.

Brussels and Shanghai.
1t is not an inappropriate synchron-
azation of events that the Brussels con-
ference should come to its inglorious
end simultaneously with Japans arch
high-handedness at Shanghai-seizure of
all Chinese communication facilities with
the outside world, including mails, cables
and radio. Previously the conquerors
had Communicated the Chinese maritime
customs and thus placed themselves in
position to deprive Marking of its prin-
cipal source of revenue, derived from the
world traffic that so long has flowed
through the great Yangtze port.
Tokios control at Shanghai is now
complete and apparently interchangeable.
Where the flags of so-called powers"
once foated over the autonomous Inter-
national Settlement the banner of the
rising sun now waves defiant and
supreme. 1t becomes not only the emblem
Of Japanese sovereignty, but token of
Occidental ignominy, impotence and in
decision that history is bound to record
In letters of enduring humiliation. 1t
will probably also describe the situation
as incredible.
Meantime, Nippons legions continue
their cannon-ball plunge toward Marking.
Chang Kai-Shek's capital, already de-
serted by the government and foreign
embassies, seems foredoomed to fall into
the invaders hands whenever Gen.
Matsui chooses to order general ad-
vance. At Toxic Premier Konoye
breathes the war lords determination to
pursue the fleeing Chinese government
as far into the interior as it cares to
run and to hammer its armies until they
are crushed or cry for peace-peace on
Japan's terms.
In answer to Brussels parting gasp of
futility. an offer of western good Offices"
IN terminating hostilities, Toxic signals a
willingness to accept Intervention looking
to an armistice, but sullenly rejects any
suggestion Of interference in peace con-
oitions. These Japan is determined to
lay down directly to China. They will
not be considered, moreover, until China
asks for them. Bismarck, Moltke. Won
Clausewitz, or some other disciple of
German blood-andiron war policy, once
enunciated the doctrine that a van
pushed foe must be left nothing but
eyes to weep with" That is presumably
about all Japan intends to leave to
China.
One wonders whether the peace-drunk
Western World, including the American
people, has measured what japanese
mastery of Asia may mean in those long
range terms in which world history comes
to be written. Does the most inveterate
paciflst-at-any-price here or in Europe,
imagine for an instant that Japan, in
light OF international complacency to-
ward her current depredations, is going
to stop with them? Is there any student
Of Nippons territorial expansion since
1894 with perception so myopic as not
to realize that her eyes henceforth will
be cast more generously than ever in the
B
time provinces, the Dutch East Indies,
French 1ndo-China, British India, the
Philippines, and even Australia, New
Zealand and Pacific lands in which the
United States has a proprietary interest?
II such trusting spirits are still I'M
dampened, there Is commended to them
the farewell message of Viscount Cecil,
President Roosevelts recent White House
guest, on the eve of his return to England
last week. To member of The Stars
editorial staff Lord Cecil, Nobel Peace
Prize winner, sent the following word:
1.-THE situation is undoubtedly extremely
critical. We seem to be in presence of a
series Of acts Of International brigandage
carried out with increasing boldness and
increasing disregard of international
good faith and morality; each adventure
which succeeds forms precedent for a
new attempt. Manchuria was followed
by Abyssinia; Abyssinia by the Rhine
provinces and Spain, and now we have
the invasion of China proper. Unless
the peace-loving powers can act now,
we shall no doubt be faced with further
attempts of the same kind. What that
system may grow to, no one can say It
is to be hoped that the world will wake
up before too late, and before we drift
into an impossible position of which the
only issues will be q renewal of the