Evening star., 1943-12-03


achieved fix the David Lawrence.
punishment such as has just been
formulated by the heads of the
governments Of China, Britain and
the United States.
The answer, of course, is that it
was desired to stimulate the Chi
nese people to make supreme
effort to defeat Japan. Without
China's effective aid there must be
a prolonged war. The Cairo agree
ment gives the Chinese a positive
assurance that lost territories will
be restored to them. 1t also arouses
the Koreans, who are promised
independence.
Blow at Jap Psychology.
But there was doubtless another
reason for the drastic terms. The
reason goes directly to Japanese
psychology and differs from the
viewpoint that might be used as
against Europeans. The Japanese
war lords have told their people
that the Americans and British are
soft and that after a few months
of difficult warfare they will tire
Of the struggle and that a stale
mate, If not victory, will be attain
able. The whole Japanese strategy
has been built on the theory that
If the Japanese entrench them
selves firmly the United States and
Britain will not really work to
dislodge them, but will be satisfied
with compromise peace. Hence
terror has been used to try to
frigten us. The shocking treatment
OF the American flyers who raided
Toxic and fell into Japanese hands
and the beheading Of an Australian
flyer were deliberately intended to
strike terror in the Allied ranks.
The japanese have completely mis-
understood the English-speaking
peoples and have rather imagined
that we would be affected by the
same kind Of brute foFce as might
influence their own behavior If the
situation were reversed.
So it may be presumed that
President Roosevelt and Prime
Minister Churchill and General
issimo Chang Kai-shek decided
that there was no advantage in
leaving the peace terms indefinite
and that the most effective way to
break up Japan was to announce
now that her stolen territories
would be taken from her and re-
stored to China or to the United
Nations, as, for instance, the man
dated islands.
This news will unquestionably
show the Japanese that the United
Nations seriously mean to carry the
war on to the bitter end, that there
will be no compromises or retreats,
and that China is to become the big
power of the Far East along with
Russia in the Asia of the future.
Internal Revolt Is Aim.
1t Is important that the American
and British response to the Cairo
pronouncement, which gives every
evidence Of being widely approved,
shall be conveyed to Japan. Once
the japanese recognize that the
United Nations mean to fight the
war in the Far East to complete
victory, their desperation may lead
to internal revolt. For there are
economic interests in Japan which
will not wish to let the war go to
the point of actual destruction of
Japanese cities and towns.
The time when the bombing of
Japan may be expected is perhaps
year or so away and, before such
an event can occur, some bloody
battles for valuable island bases in
the Pacific will have been fought.
When the American Navy, assisted
by the Marines and the Army, ad-
vances closer to Japan, when there
are air bases inside China which can
be adequately supplied for constant
bombing of Japan, when the Chinese
armies have been equipped and
modified in ever-increasing num-
bers. then the climax of the war
against Japan may be expected.
1t does appear, however, that the
war in the Far East will be a long
one and will absorb good deal of
our military and naval strength
even when Germany has been con-
quered and all armed services can
be concentrated ON the Pacific war
The theory that America will be
out of state of war in 1914 or 1945
would seem to be too optimistic at
the moment. The defeat of Japan
is a much harder job than most
Americans visualize, but that means
the time has come when all avail
able resources must be concentrated
on accomplishing it just the same.
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