1940-01-19 — Page 9

Crisis Looming In Far East America's Stand And Japan's Bid For Peace

CHIANG'S TERMS SIMPLE: LIKELY

TO BE OBSTINATE

By "CRITIC"

EVENTS WHICH ARE moving rapidly in the Far East, indicate a desire on the part of Japan to stabilise the situation, and put an end to_the_pre- sent war. Japan has indicated her desire for a new order in Asia, with herself as the arbiter of its destinies, while China is determined under Chlang Kai-shek to maintain the old order, which gives China ber full and unfettered freedom. Japan's advance into China has gone far, and as peace de- pends on an equally long retreat, the prospects of a peace on Japan's terms a re far from bright.

The successive cabinets have regis-]ing provoked no response, or induced tered a diplomatic advance in their the United States to realise that there ambition since the resignation of Pre- is a new order in Asia, oṛ, rather, mier Konoye, but recently a more that there would soon be if America realistic conception of the situation in were not so recalcitrant to reasoned Tokyo has led to a gradual abatement argument, now tries another method. of the claim and soon the Konoye The opening of the Yangtze is to be peace offer will again hold the field. postponed indefinitely, and negotia- Japan has three major problems ontions are to be opened with Russia. her hands-the war in China, her re- lations with Russia, and the approach- ing end of the Trade Pact with the United States.

CURIOUS PARALLEL

Professor Ping, played by Mr. Yu Shu-slu, in "The Professor from Peking,” a play by the un- dergraduates of the University In the Great Hall to-night.

COMING HOME FOR NEWS?

This is a curious parallel to the sit- Ger- Then, there is the widespread feel-uation in Europe. Just as the

London, To-day. · ing that each of these problems is man Army would not contemplate a

On Sunday, eight distinguished destroying the opportunities for reap-war on two fronts, so the Japanese French war correspondents attached to ing a golden harvest by the capture of feel that if the United States actually the B.E.F., including the well-known the world markets from which Europe did take up arms, if not on behalf of French writer, M. Andre Maurois, will suffering China, then in her own in-arrive in London as guests of the Min- terests, one naval front is as much as istry of Information on a visit which has been arranged to afford them an opportunity to observe the many as- pects of Britain's war effort-British Wireless.

has been excluded by the war.

WANG TELEGRAM

could be held.

Japan can get good terms with Russia at the moment, for Stalin's Army which might have been con. sidered a powerful fighting force, if it had never fought, has un- dermined Stalin's position In _negotiations_by its campaign in

Finland.

2

with-holds

The arrangement with Russia is a In spite of Wang Ching-wei's circu-necessary preliminary to a discussion lar telegram, it is hardly likely that with the United States on trade pacts, Chiang Kai-shek will be complacent. After all he is not seeking peace, and naturally assumes that his adversary who is, wishes to secure it on terms that will give him the greatest ad- but Chiang Kai-shek's vantages, terms are simple, They are the com- plete withdrawal of Japanese forces from the sacred soil of China. It is not conceivable that he will agree to less. Having organised his part of China on a war basis, and having re- signed himself to carrying on till his object is achieved, there seems to be little likelihood of agreeing to terms which he need not accept.

The war may be costing China a| China cease, while she herself is en- great deal, but it is costing Japan gaged in a European war. more, and at the same time it pre- vents Japanese traders and industrial- ists from sharing in such prosperity as is now awaiting her. Chiang Kai- shek is likely to prove obstinate and Japan increasingly impatient.

U.S. IN EARNEST

Three men

armed with revolvers entered the Man Shing Lee. Grocery shop, in Cha Hang, Taipo, early this morning,- and -- robbed -- the master - of $37.

SHANGHAI- HANKOW AIR SERVICE

Regular air service between Shang- hai and Hankow via Nanking has re- sumed.

A round-trip between the two cities, a distance of 830 kilometres,

can be made by air in a day with the inauguration of the service.

A 21-seater Douglas DC-3 plane left the Tazan airdrome at Shanghai at 8 o'clock in the morning, arrived at Nanking at 9.10 o'clock, left Nanking | at 9.25 o'clock and arrived at Hankow at 11.50 o'clock. On the return flight the plane left Hankow at 12.20 o'clock in the afternoon, arrived at Nanking at 2.45 o'clock and arrived at Shang- hai 4.10 o'clock.

YONAI'S PROBLEMS

Tokyo, To-day. The Yonai Cabinet is being swamp- ed with letters from all

over the country, urging modifications in the rigid control of imports and exports. The complaints are all in the same vein, business und industrial depres- sion arising from inability to obtain raw materials or vital supplies from overseas. Our Own Correspondent.

ART EXHIBITION

An interesting one-man art exhibi- tion will open in the St. Francis Hotel to-morrow.

It is an exhibition of the work of Mr. Luk Shuet-chow, who has won himself a reputation in the realms of both Chinese and Western art.

The proceeds are to be donated to charity.

THRIFT IN BRITAIN

London, To-day.

Japan will obviously try during the negotiations with Russia to insert clause whereby Russia further military aid to China. If this of reproach, levelled at her by her The number of depositors in the were

Chiang Kai-shek own critics, of aiding the aggressor in Post Office Savings Bank at January would be handicapped in his cam- China, and at the same time penalis-4th was approximately 11,750,000 and paigns, but it is clearly not to Rusing him in Europe. These critics re-the aggregate amount of their deposits

the sia's advantage to see

inquire consistency in national policy. (was £552,380,000.-British Wireless.

successful

TRADE RELIANCE

war

Japan having safeguarded one frontier against a potential enemy by an agreement would then be in a more favourable position diplomatically to talk about Trade

with pacts

the United States. With reference to the Trade Pact, For the latter however the trade the position is difficult, for the re-❘ with Japan does not seem to be of newal of that is governed by the any great importance, whereas for situation in China. First the gesture Japan it is a matter of great urgency. was made to open the Yangtze up to If Russia cuts off supplies to China, Nanking in order to conciliate the at the bidding of Japan, the US.A. is US.A. but that did not meet with any in a position to cut off what is even more vital to Japan. The United States, like the rich man, can bide its time, but Japan cannot, and that is why a treaty with Russia, a more vigorous policy in China, and perhaps a threat to the south may be used to induce the United States to think realistically and accept the idea of a'

success.

Now it is beginning to be re- allded that the United States may be in earnest about rights In China, and may even be moved to action on humanitarian grounds. The enormous increase voted for the navy and the movements of sea planes to Manila together with the streng-new order in Asia. thening of Guam, and bringing the fleet on 'Hawaii, these acts... m gestures too, but they point only in one direction. The problem gauge the strength of the Iso group in the United States power to restrain the opp If the United States has

ed in Far Eastern past two years, is the

se she will do

tried the com

opening of the Yangtze

The imperturbility of the United ates is rather irritating to the Japanese, who are naturally annoyed

seeing their handsome gesture of Goodwill, in opening the Yangtze up

Nanking, rejected:

NEXT STEP?::

The next step

lies. with but the terr on which an ment can be made are more to be dictated by the United

who must remove the gro

COMING!

COMING!

THE

GRAND OLYMPIC CIRCUS OF THE FAR EAST

Thrilling Zoo 300 Animals

Director IZAKO

This season brings the best artists from all over the world.

MANY BIG ATTRACTIONS.

Circus Arena at Mongkok.

Booking at Anderson Music Co., Ltd.

WATCH FOR THE OPENING DATE!

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