Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12

unhappy over the high-handedness Of
the military. The Japanese diplomats
had to play along, however, under the
penalty Of being removed from office
sometimes from this world. They entered
reluctantly into the anti-comintern pact
with the Germans and made advances
to the Russians half-heartedly. Strange
as it may seem, the Japanese diplomats
have always favored a policy of CO.
operation with the United States and
Great Britain. This is because these
men have spent large portion of their
lives in foreign countries and were fire.
quently educated in foreign universities,
while Japanese soldiers are provincial.
Only an infinitesimal number of the OH.
GERS of the army have ever left Asia.
Consequently, while the diplomats are
thinking in terms Of Japan's position in
the light of international relativities, the
soldiers are thinking in insular terms.
Success Of the military campaigns since
1882 has given the soldiers a tremen-
dous prestige over the civilian officials
who wanted to restrain their hand. The
masses were enthusiastic when the press
controlled by the military announced Sue
cess after success and pointed out how
the proudest nations Of the world, Brit
ain and America, were compelled to take
it on the chin from the japanese peasant
soldier.
Terrible Aftermath.
But military successes are like dope;
they have an effect when they are in
jected into the body. The aftermath is
terrible. And what the Japanese people
are suffering from now is sick head
ache. The campaign In China offers no
glory and no heroic action. It is drudg-
cry and people are beginning to realize
that 1t may 60 on for years without any
positive result. The farmer wants his
son back-the middle class suffers hard
ships which they accepted at first with
enthusiasm because they believed the
pressure would only last a year or two.
Discomfort is rising now throughout the
country. The civilians, including the
gentlemen from the foreign office, are
telling this to the Emperor, who no
longer takes the word of the military as
the only truth spoken in his empire.
Big businessmen, bankers and indus
trialists, who at first gave an unqualified
Endorsement to the actions Of the mill
tary, are also restless. Cancellation of
the Japanese-American trade agreement
will come into effect in January. With
the European countries at war, there is
no place where the Japanese may cover
their vital needs except in the United
States. Blockade of European waters
makes it difficult for Japan to export to
that section of the world. Credits in the
United States are limited. The costs OF
the Chinese adventure are ever increas-
ing and there are no such returns as the
leading japanese financiers and lndu-
trialists expected. China might be a
paradise for Japan's economic expansion
but that paradise is more difficult to OBJ
tain than appeared at first.
This dissatisfaction in all quarters, ex.
cept among the military, has brought
to Washington, in the last few weeks, a
number Of unofnciA emissaries. They
came here to feel out the sentiment Of
the American people and of the admins
tration. These people have had num-
berless conversations with individuals
who could give them hint of what their
government feels about changing its poll
cies toward Japan. The visitors have ex-
planned candidly that the European
powers have out-orientalized the Orien-
tails. Japan is at loss to understand
why Hitler has gotten under Stains
thumb and understands still less why
Great Britain, while denouncing Ger
many for her crimes, finds that Mr..
Stain is perfect gentleman. The Jap
anese are really puzzled.
Always Get Same Answer.
These emissaries, officials of the South
Manchurian Railways, diplomats who
used to be stationed in Washington be-
fore the second invasion Of China, naval
officers who had served in Washington
or in other ports abroad where they
formed close friendships with Americans,
are asking innocently: why don't you
get together with US and let US stand
together against the avalanche which is
threatening all Of US? Our problems with
Russia can never be settled by friendly
understanding; your problems with the
new axis are bound to get you into trouble
sooner or later. We can complement each
other. What do your leaders think about
this?" The answer has invariably been
the same: "Get out Of that section Of
China you have occupied since 1887 and
We will extend you q friendly hand and
help you in all your troubles" They
shake their heads and point out the
difficulties of organizing stable govern
ment in China. In reply they have been
told that with the japanese out of China
we feel that Chang Kai-shek, or any
other true representative of the Chinese
people. could rule the country at least