Evening star., 1938-06-12

ulQuIndnltleS. A1Cer al, we seem 10 nave
been left frigidly alone by every democracy
to fight as best we can. with our inadequate
equipment, for the principles which the
democracies espouse-the sacredness Of
treaties and international laws and all that
AS well as for our own salvation.
One disconcerting thing Is that, though
we have been deserted, as 1t were, the
democracies seem to be willing to listen
with strangely attentive ear to the de-
mands Of Japan that the powers should re-
main neutral. Japan. with the air of .
grievously injured innocent, is crying for
help to destroy us as, if 1t were her country
that was being wrongly invaded and con-
sumed by fire, and her people who were
being blown to fragments by the guns OF
Chinese aggressors.
Those Of our people who question the
advisability Of our keeping in with the
democracies point out that it is the amazing
studied neutrality of the democracies that
enables Japan, without any restraint, to
continue killing our people, violating our
women and making a wilderness of all Of
our territory that she has been able to
penetrate.
The glum picture Of the downhill progress
Of democracy painted for me by respondent
critics evokes from me an etching Of the
unbounded sympathy that has been ex-
pressed for us by the people Of the democ-
racies. I emphasize that there has to be
very clear demarcation between the people
and the governments Of the democracies; !;
that we must not be unmindful Of the will
of many to help but that We should be
profoundly and sincerely grateful for IT..
This practical sympathy Is, in reality, the
one genuine international reaction that
offers us some consolation and compensa-
sertion Of us to our fate by each and every
one Of the democratic governments, as well
as by the totalitarian ones.
The tragedy is that the governments Of
the democracies have had, for some time,
to bow to the will Of Japan because they
are afraid Of her; because they are still
mesmerized by Japan's long insistence that
she is invmcible. That Is a bit strange to
us after what the past 10 months of unequal
combat have revealed. However, if Japan
proves herself to be invincible. she will
with the probable unintended acquiscence
and indirect help Of the democratic govern
ments-conquer China, and will, eventually,
leave her footprints and her bombprints
not only upon the earth Of China and the
sands Of time, but upon the soil and char
acter of many accidentally controlled lands
That is foregone conclusion.
However Shakespeare emphasizes that
reputation is q false imposition oft got
wonder little if Japan really deserves the
reputation for invincibility which she has
continued to acquire. It is rather ironical
that we of China should be the ones to be
putting that question to the great powers.
They ought, indeed. In the colloquial Of
America to be telling u.s." After all, we
are but amateurs IN this business of inter-
national warfare on big scale.
Chinese Thought in .Flux.
The studied aloofness shown by Demo-
cratic governments to China in her travail
is doing something significant. If not dis
turbing, to thought herein China.
That stand -othshness is strengthening
the school Of opinion here that is begin
ming to express doubts about the advisability
Of China continuing to be party to what
now looks like demoded fidelity to crippled,
and, apparently, useless League Of Nations.
or Of China continuing to make herself
appear like a stupid country pumpkin to q
group Of city cousins-who have suddenly
become sophisticated struggling to ad-
here to what democratic governments now
seem. judged by their cautious actions. to
regard as compromising or communicating
or inconsequential principles
Strangely, 1t was the abiding faith Of
China In the League Of Nations and its
supporters that eventually brought the
League incontinently tumbling from its
lofty perch Of idsaliEn and sent IT. pro-