1938-12-08 — Page 10

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THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 8, 1938

her leaders in season and out of

The China Mail

Ninety-Third Year of Publication SA Wyndham Street, Hong Kong Telephone 20022 London Office: 7, Garrick Street, London, W.C.2 Subscription Rates.

3 Months 6 Months

One Year

H.K.S 9.00 H.K.$18.00 H.K.$36.00

Postage Abroad Extra · Hong Kong, Thursday, Dec. 8, 1938.

BRITAIN AND THE

FAR EAST

season,

Even now such critics dismiss Japan's undoubted lapses by re- suscitating tales of Chinese cor- ruption, evasion, and anti-for- eignism. The moral, if the term can be used, is that the real in- ternational crime' is an inability to defend oneself. Japan's feelings have to be considered because she has battleships, tanks, and a mighty army. China's can be ig- nored because she is physically helpless.

Japan cannot be expected to relish criticism of her political institutions... She cannot divest Those who believe that Britain herself of responsibility for the needs less appeasement' and policies which they evolve. Right- more standuppishness in its for-ly, or wrongly they have per- eign policy if it is to meet the mitted a military clique to force new challenges of the present its theories of "positive" action eventually world order, will derive some en-on a reluctant but couragement from Lord Ply-complaisant government by a mouth's reply to the House of progressively developed series of Lords' debate on Far East pro- faits accomplis, ever since Sep- blems. The Under-Secretary gave tember, 1981. From Mukden to warning to Japan that Britain Tsitsihar to Harbin; from Man- and the United States are follow-churia to Manchukuo, from Man- ing a parallel attitude on Tokyo's chukuo to Jehol, Inner Mongolia, "Monroe Doctrine in East Asia" North China; from North China pronouncements, and there was a to East Hopei, its autonomous re- broad hint that Japan would be gime and its orgy of smuggling well advised to reconsider. Lord in defiance of China's sovereignty Plymouth gave assurance that and in detriment to China's re- means of bringing pressure upon venues, the trail has, lain. Japan had not been overlooked, Last year the Chinese Govern- and revealed that a number of ment called a halt to save its po- proposals are under discussion litical existence. The choice was for rendering assistance to China fateful. The odds were enormous- by way of export credits: All in ly against defenders of soil on all, the statement may be regard-which Japanese erosion, had al- ed as bringing Great Britain into ready worked such havoc. Osten- line with the stiffening noticeable sibly seeking economic co-opera- in Washington's approach to the tion from China, Japan, at the same problems.

bidding of her militarists, has The one disturbing feature was now shattered the market on the speech of Lord Barnby who which she depended, committed himself to much the

Statement of the case thus does same cynical analysis of the Far East position which drew heavy not imply criticism beyond what it intrinsically carries. It merely head of Mr. protests upon the

would Chamberlain. The damage which disproves absurdities which for can be done to British interests Japan's present attitude

of the Lord blame the abandonment of the by the sentiments

Anglo-Japanese Alliance, the in- Barnbys is emphasized in article which Mr. Haward, form-vestigation (at Japan's express er Editor of the "North China request) of the Manchurian is- Daily News" recently contributed sue by the Lytton Commission or to "Great Britain and the Far the British Government's refusal to deny China the recognised fa- East.".

an

the

· These are times when Mr.cilities of commerce. Japanese pu blic opinion is not aware that Haward's contentions will repay study. He argues, at the outset, German and Italian munitions that understanding between Great have bulked more largely in Chinese imports than British sup Britain and Japan may be more readily achieved in the light of plies, any more than it knows of the new developments in Europe, the many apologies which and goes on to say that it wou'd Government in Tokyo has had to be unfortunate, therefore, if cer-make for military lapses involv tain efforts to further that un-ing friendly neutrals in China. derstanding were allowed to raise That ignorance cannot be blind- Ifalse hopes and base themselves ing the eyes of critics outside Jon false issues. Nowadays it is Japan. recognised that international co- operation can be effected between differing systems of government so long as each individual nation is prepared to forgo criticism of the other's predilection.

·

How, then, can the process of restoring understanding between Japan and Great Britain be best approached? Surely it must be by taking the facts as they are, by standing firm on tradition and Champions of Japan in Eng- by dissociating action to safe- land he points out are apt to fas-guard British interests from any ten the blame for Japan's un-endorsement of Japanese policy. Even now it is impossible to friendly attitude on the Press, which is criticized for unfairness foresee, the outcome of the mili- in discussing the Sino-Japanese tary struggle. Some say it will a completely Japonified conflict, for undue faith in exag- mean

ex-China; others, while recognizing gerated tales of Japanese cesses. Criticism even extends to the significance of Japanese allegations that British actions gains, doubt that possibility. Ja- the spot have been lacking in pan and taking the cue from Mu- tact or consideration for Japanese nich might move to that termin- ofation of their struggle earlier susceptibilities. This line thought unwisely flatters specious than expected. British good of- arguments which are assiduous-fices for both sides might then be ly employed by Japanese for the of real benefit to peace. They want of more solid material to could not operate if, by departure justify the launching of an un-from neutrality in giving coun- precedented aggression on the tenance to Japanese interpreta- Boil of a weaker neighbour. It tions of the conflict, the Chinese quaintly enough finds currency were made to feel that British among those who in the past principles had been betrayed. by have conspiculously neglected subservience to the big batta- standards of international amity llons, that British friendship for by maintaining a ceaseless flow China had been sacrificed to a dú. of animosity in exposing the de- blous sense of commercial advan-

acturing.