Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-03-18
BUTTE MAN TELLS
CHINA SITUATION
A. B. HENNTNGSEN, FORMER
MONTANAN, is NOW RESIDENT
OF SHANGHAI
Sends Clippings of Paper Published
in Far East Giving Views Of Situa-
ton and Importance Of American
Trade TO Japan.

Pertinent facts concerning ia
pans invasion of China and the
relations of that warfare to Amer
ica's position in the Far East are
contained in copies of two articles
received in Butte by Kenneth
Christie with a letter from A. B.
"Fritz" Henningsen, former Butte
resident and manager of far east
ern operations of Getz Brothers
and Company, exporters and i'm
porters.
Henningsen, a nephew Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Christie, enclosed in his letters
troll and "Japan's Attack on America
in the Far East" both written In
China by residents who have had op-
portunity to study the Sino-Japanese
situation from first-hand viewpoints.
"Hankow in Japanese Control" which
appeared in the North China News,
tells of the large loss in population,
the sitting of foreign trade and the
elimination plan against foreigners
under the japanese occupancy.
In his letter to Christie, Henningsen
Oub klldb IlEIE lCC1
that the maintenance of Americas po-
sition in the far east is vitality impor-
tant, not just because of the values Of
our China trade, business investments
in China, or the educational, medical
and cultural work of our missionaries
Though these certainly are not I'M
important matters), but because Amer
ica's whole future as Pacific power
in all its political, economic and cul-
tural aspects, is involved.
Not Too Late
Knowing Japan's dependence upon
America, it Is our firm belief that it
is still not too late TO stop Japans
mad military leaders in their wild
career of defiance Of humanity and
all treaty obligations, entirely by
peaceable means. And, If inclined to
hesitate, Americans should remember
that the China incident is only one
step toward war with America in the
avowed plans Of these same military
leaders"
The article, "Japan's Attack on
America in the Far East" "a ringside
account and Interpretation by an
American business man who lives
there) was printed In the New York
Times. Excerpts from the article sent
from China follow:
q. The Japanese have from time
to time declared that they are not
fighting the Chinese people, but only
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek's SOL
diers. From what they have seen with
their own eyes, Americans here know
that a much more correct statement
would be that the Japanese fight the
Chinese soldiers to drive them away
so they can loot the Chinese people Of
all their possessions and gain control
Of all Of China's resources. Americans
here have also learned that 1t takes
time to loot SO systematically. A whole
year has elapsed since the end Of
fighting in this area, but free use Of
and access to American and other
properties within japanese controlled
sections Of the city are, In spite Of all
protests, still denied.
Lose Heavily
MANY American firms which had
sustained no losses from direct hits or
resulting fires during the period of
fighting, lost heavily during the sue
ceeding months of japanese occupa-
ton.
japanese are still withholding
American cargo from its rightful
American owners.
ut is impossible, therefore, for
Americans here to escape the conclu-
sion that the Japanese, Insofar as they
are able TO accomplish their purpose,
definitely intend that there shall be
no goods sold In this market except
Japanese goods. If, however, there had
been any doubt about this conclusion,
1t was all dispelled with the develop
ment of the third phase Of Japan's
action in China, the period of the for
nation Of monopolies for the control
Of communications and key industries
for the purpose Of further controlling
the channels Of trade and economic
activity and for levying robber baron
tribute on all that passes. The North
China Development Co. and the Cen
trail China Development Co., heavily
capitalized holding companies for these
Japanese monopolies, have been func-
tioning for several months.
Among Americans who have Wit
messed the development Of japanese
activities In China, 1t was common
saying that Japan Is wsging two I'M
declared wars, one against the Chinese
people and the other against foreign
business, especially British and Amer
lean.
''To the Americans who have thus
for some time been close observers of
the trend of events In the Orient, the
whole future Of American trade and
cultural relations In the far east de-
ponds upon whether Japan Is per-