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THE HONG KONG WEEKLY PRESS &
CRIPPLING THE FAR EAST
(Daily Press, October 24, 1937)
It is perfectly clear that no longer can the great Powers regard the undeclared war being ruthlessly waged by Japan on China as a matter capable of being localisert and strictly confined as to area and purpose. It has, as was forecast from the moment the assault on Shanghai was launched, become a war of major proportions and the repercussions must be as far-reaching as they are gigantic and dynamic.
Such was the thoroughness of the Japanese propaganda that it is a well known fact that the Powers with interests in the Pacific had come to really believe that Japan's night was as great as her propagandists claimed it to be. It was left to China to put Japan to the test, and after more than three months of war- whether 'declared" or "undeclared" is immaterial-the Japanese have not done much more than take a few villages by surprise and bomb cities of absolutely no strategic importance, leaving in their trail a conibination of spectacles which can only be likened to a shambles in an earthquake. As far as Japan is concerned it can surely be asserted that the world at large feels a sense of nausea at the very unedifying display of sheer brute force which has characterised Japan's contribution to twentieth cen- tury civilization.
Having had ample opportunity for realising, without appre- cating, the perfidy of Japan, the great Powers are now taking not only a keen but a lively interest in the trend of Sino-Japanese affairs. Much may reasonably be expected to eventuate during the next seven days, and doubtless Japan is not the least anxious of the anxious nations of the world.
Outside the East it is significant that individuals and organisations have taken the lead before their respective Govern- ments even contemplated taking that sort of action which is limited to academic discussions. It was several weeks ago in these columns that we offered the opinion that it mattered little what Governments thought because it was the will of the mass of the people which alone would decide what final action the Governments would take. When we wrote thus we had practi- cally only the pious resolutions of humanitarian organisations upon which to base our premise. Since then, notably within the past week, there have come messages from Britain, the United States of America, India, Australia and New Zealand of the workers having flatly refused to handle goods which were be- lieved only believed", mark you--to be destined for Japan.
That is good. It is as it should be, and we for our part hope that this eplendid lead given by the workers will be followed throughout the communities in the matter of boycotting Japanese goods and cargo. As in those countries which we have named the people elect their own Governments, there can be little doubt as to what action those Governments will take if Japan persists in her present unreasonable and irrational policy.
All
Meanwhile, the Far East is suffering as never before. those years of very arduous labour which have gone to the establishing of great commercial connections have, almost over- night, been severed, and in terms of wealth millions have been cut adrift and in terms of humanity thousands have been ruined Many such are just waiting for what they term "the tide to turn" before returning to Shanghai and other parts in the North, they having great faith in the recuperative powers of those areas. But how long will they have to wait? And whilst they are waiting, Japan is wreaking more and more havoc.
(Continued on page 603)
October 29, 1937
DECIDING BEFORE
THE COURT MEETS
(Daily Press, October 25, 1937)
It was President Wilson who introduced what he was pleased to term "the new diplomacy." By that was meant, in a word, that the old, old order of con- ducting negotiations between nations by means of underground wires and underhand... methods had ceased to exist. In future everything was to be done in an above-board, honourable, frank and fearless manner according to the accepted principles of proper conduct based upon an ethical code of unimpeachable virtue.
This system seemed so good that the world enthusiastically accorded wholehearted support to it and its propounder. However, moderate cynicism is the first attribute of a great critic, and it was the greatly gifted Lord Asquith who wrote this steadying commentary on the supposedly changed order of things, "The old diplomacy may be dead, but the old diplomats still live."
Judging by the happenings in diplomatic circles during the past twenty-four hours it would appear that the old diplomats are perpetual if not quite immortal. Lord Asquith was deplorably correct and the masses of the world, so gloriously blind in their enthusiasms for reforms which have their inception in honour and truth and so childlike in the faith they repose in their leaders, were
doomed
to yet another cruel disillusionment. To-day we are being treated to a demonstration of international infidelity sufficient to make even a hardened cynic blush. Appar- ently, even those who have, with a moral recklessness that is truly bewildering, dedicated their lives to the Moloch ways of secret diplomacy of the old and wicked and
mischievous order, have found it impossible, thanks to a vigilant Press, to keep their nefarious schemes from tha peoples of the world and it is common knowledge that, even before the vital Nine-Power (Continued on page 603)
now
October 29, 1937
Deciding Before The Court Meets
in
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
603
(l'ontuurd firom page 602) Treaty Conference is held Brussels
next Saturday, hercu- lean efforts are being made by certain nations to make the decision before the court sits. For unalloyed unmorality there is nothing to equal such conduct in modern times. One has to go away back to those distant and dismal days of Mediaevalist when the Borgias held sway to find anything even remotely re- sembling such deceit and conceit. It has been freely stated in the Press of the world that Italy, Germany and Japan, regardless of the outcome of this conference to be held in Brussels and which is charged with such dynamic importance to the world and its peoples, have tacitly agreed to stand shoulder to shoulder to re- sist advance of what is known
any as the Popular Front.
Thus far nothing more definite than a series of suspiciously similar rumours have emanated from the chancellories, but the goings and comings of Ambassa- dors, at this particularly tragic stage in the world's history, can- not be without significance. Anything more preposterous than an alliance between Western Powers to support the ghastly policy of aggression so frightfully prosecuted by Japan against peace-loving China would be im- possible to imagine.
To us the significant point is that, no matter what
may b said in favour of round tabl. conferences of the nations, such Conferences are worse than worth Iess-they are extravagances the most prodigal character-if certain nations are to be per- mitted to take their places at such conferences when it is well known that beforehand they have made their decision and "counted the heads. With things moving as they are at present, this is surely the time for those great Powers which have vital interests in the Pacific to snap-out of their academic lethargy and get right down to practical facts.
A Japanese bomber on the Canton River after being shot down. (Photo, International News Agency Photonews).
CRIPPLING THE FAR EAST
(Continued from page 802)
To us it appears quite clear that it is not Japan's intention to desist until her merciless depredations of civilian life and property have given her an over-ordship of a very large portion of North China. That day shall never down if China stands true to herself. But the more this unprovoked but premediated attack on China continues. Japan is furthering her scheme for crippling the Far East and then plundering one of the richest areas on the earth's surface
One point, however. Japan seems to have completely over- looked. In the prosecution of this crippling campaign, Japan must cripple herself.
It is such madness which makes the brain reel! China will not surrender. Japan seems impotent to advance. The other Powers have slowly but surely swung-in behind China Perhaps if a concerted effort were made now to bring Japan to a sense of her criminal folly, then the Far East would be spared the horror and worthlessness of this crippling policy—and even Japan might be saved from herself.
Sandbag outpost in Pootung. with Chinese sentry on duty.
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