The Wilmington morning star., 1945-07-15

ference it will be possible, we may
hope, to define the terms on which
the Japanese war can be brought
to an end. The United States alone
cannot do that even though we
shall have played the principal part
in defeating Japan. Thus we are
committed by the Cairo declara-
ton to insist that Manchuria, as
well as Formosa and other terrific
ries, be restored to the Republic
of China. But while we alone might
be able to force the Tokyo gov
eminent to order the evacuation
of Manchurja, this in itself would
rot necessarily restore 1t to the
Republic of China.
Chungking lies tina, part of China
which is ruled from 'Yenan. There
fore, the Chinese civil conflict
must be resolved if Manchuria is
to be restored" It is, moreover,
unlikely that China can be reunit-
ed, even in the form of a loose
federal union, unless there is a
clear understanding between China
and the Soviet Union, which the
United States can approve. The
settlement in East Asia, as well as
the grand strategy Of. the final
campaigns of the war, require an
understanding about what authori-
ty will prevail when Japanese at
thority is overthrown. This applies
equally to Korea.
The Stalin-Soong discussions,
which have been taking place In
Moscow, will, if they are success
ful, prepare the ground for po-
litical and strategic agreement at
Potsdam. The time Is ripe for it
in that the schedule of the rede-
ployment is such that the CAM
paign which should mark the be-
ginning of the end is now clearly
in sight.
We may suppose that as between
Marshal Stain and the Prime Min
lister, Mr.. T. v. Soong, satisfac-
tory agreement is possible. The
chief doubt which exists about 1t
is how effective is the authority OF
Mr.. Soong and of the Chungking
government over the vast territory
of China, and whether the United
States is equipped to play a use
full part in making general agree
ment work.
: But assuming that a Chinese
: Observation-Disclosures agreement
about Eastern Asia is arrived at
then we may consider that the ter
ritorial terms of settlement, as laie
: down at Cairo, are definite or
what Japan must surrender. The
situation is radically different thai
. it was with Germany, where NJ
territorial terms were fixed whil'
the war was being fought.
The question, which has still tt
be answered, is what besides he
, conouests Japan must surrender
There will be general agreerf1en
that she must surrender her armed
forces. her facilities for manufac
turing weapons. and that she mus
accept control over her capacity tt
recreate her military power.
The question which is not set
tied. which is in fact the subjec
of serious debate in Washington
j. and other Allied capitals, i
:. whether it is necessary to deman'
q the liquidation of the japanese SO
cial order, with it's peculiar dynas
" tic and religious domination. Their
y is substantial reason for thinking
= that all Japanese interpret "uncon
!. ditional surrender as meaning JUS
that, and that this is the stick1n
!. point when they consider whethe
a they should Sue for peace.
,. This is an exceedingly Difficult
4 question, and it is one on whlc
+ experts on the Far East are yer
& much divided. Certainly, we coul
: not afford to make a settlemer
which cut off the branches an
left intact the roots from whlc
aggression grows. Those who II
sist that the dynastic religious sy'
tenn must be extirpated are cor
vinced that it is the root OF tn
evil.
On the other hand. there ar
others who argue that when Japs