The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-22
ENDURANCE CONTEST in FAR EAST

The fighting in China continues with
little indication that the conflict is any
where near an end.
Neutral observers in the Far East diff
fer in interpreting the present situation.
Some are impressed by the military VIC
tories of the Japanese and others stress
the determined resistance of the Chinese.
Evidence accumulates that the Japan
csc intend to treat the occupied portions
of China as part of Japan. The invaders
steadily encroach upon the theoretical
rights of other nationals and assert exclu-
sive control of the occupied areas. In Tok-
20, the Minister of War admits that the
bulk of Japan's army, even during peace
time, will be garrisoned in China and in
Manchukuo instead of in Japan as hereto
FORE
IS Back of this statement is the fear,
based or the behavior of the Manchukuan
army, that the army in China, if returned
to Japan, will inevitably rule the nation.
The army in Manchukuo. as is well known,
has frequently acted independent of and
contrary to Tokyo policy. Apparently the
army in China is inclined to do the same.
81. The new policy on the part of Japan
may be taken as an admission that the
present military campaign in China has
failed of its purpose. Chinese resistance,
bolstered by hatred of the invaders, which
has been intensified by the aerial slaugh-
ter, shows no signs of crumbling. The oc-
cupied sections are the scenes of intense
guerrilla activity. The war has entered an
endurance phase, with the outcome de-
pending upon whether the Chinese will to
resist outlasts the economic resources of
Japan.
While not expecting armed assistance
from other powers, Chinese leaders con-
tinue to hope that the international situa-
ton will change in their favor. A general
war, with Japan on one side, would auto
matically make China the ally of the other.
In the absence of a general war, however,
the Chinese believe that other powers may
eventually apply effective pressure upon
Japan. Failing to receive this help, the Chi
nese are slowly and laboriously creating
new China in the unoccupied regions. Des-
!, pitei repeated ,bombings, that blast cities
and destroy many Chinese lives, the gov
eminent continues to plan prolonged re-
sistance.
A glance at the map of China reveals
that the Japanese, while controlling the
entire coastline, have occupied about
one fourth of China. Something like $780,
600 Japanese are in garrisoned areas and
a similar force stands guard on the Man
chukuan-Siberian border While Chinese
losses in battle have greatly exceeded those
of Japan, it is estimated that between 15O,-
600 to 100000 Japanese have been killed
since the beginning Of the war and that
400, 900 have been withdrawn from service
because of wounds.
The sympathy of the people OF the
United States is almost unanimously with
the Chinese. Officially, the Government
maintains policy of neutrality which has
proved helpful to Japan. Great Britain and
France, with immense interests in the Far
East, have followed similar course. The
neutrality of these three powers, coupled
with the failure of Russia to intervene, has
contributed largely to the continuance OF
Japanese aggression. The chances are that
other nations will continue their present
policy until there is decided change in
world conditions