Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1935. JAPAN IN CHINA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 42, 30 November 1935, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1935. JAPAN IN CHINA.

V k '■ ~~ The outlook in the Far East is anything but good, for although important peace negotiations have been opened in Shanghai • they foreshadow success, of the Japanese designs in North China. It was reported the other day that the populace of the provinces concerned is opposed to secession, but the Japanese are now said to have strong forces and to be in a position to assume control. Apart from the blow to national pride and prestige, which alone would cause the Nanking Government strenuously to oppose secession, the threatened territorial loss is serious. Resources of coal, oil, iron, cotton, wheat, salt, abound in the region that may be cut off, and adjacent to it are the prairies of Inner Mongolia, ideal for sheep and cattle and therefore offering, if properly developed and controlled, large supplies of wool and hides. On the other hand, Japan, besides gaining at least an equally valuable economic advantage, would have the benefit of a still stronger buffer against Russia. In Outer Mongolia, as jn Chinese Turkestan, Soviet influence is paramount. They have been thoroughly and irreparably “sovietisedL” But Inner Mongolia, to the immediate south-west of Manchukuo, is not so affected to any compafable extent. By adding Jehol to the three eastern provinces absorbed in an ostensibly independent Manchukuo, Inner Mongolia was brought within Japanese reach, and by this project of another political excision an expansive but compact wedge could be inserted between Japan and Russia. Apart altogether from the domestic aspect, the proposed secession perhaps acquisition would be the better word—raises international questions of great importance. Japans share in it, as in the Manchurian incident, unquestionably involves a violation of the Nine Power treaty, signed at Washington in 1922, by which the special rights of foreign Powers in China, including Great Britain and the United States, were defined. This treaty pledged its signatories, Japan among them, to protect “the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of China. Should the Nanking Government appeal to the League of Nations, its plaint must be given heed. China cannot be ignored, since the plea of Abyssinia against Italy has led to drastic action. 1 here will be a case to answer, even if it be a case difficult to prove. Up to tne present the signatory Powers have given little indication that they are concerned as to the steady penetration that has occurred. The possibility cannot be ignored! however, that the situation which is now reported may necessitate some form of intervention by these Powers.