JAPAN'S AIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 285, 2 December 1931, Page 3

JAPAN'S AIM.

ACTION IN MANCHURIA.

ANNEXATION INTENDED ?

OPINIONS OP DR. KOO

An explanation of the trouble in Manchuria is given by Dr. T. Z. Koo, of the Christian Student Movement, who recently visited the Dominion, in a letter to a friend in Wellington.

"A disturbing factor I found on my return," he writes .from West City, Peiping, China, under date September 20, "is in the realm of our relationship to our neighbour Japan. I had known of the growing tension between our two countries because of the progress of Chinese developments in railroads, harbours, mining and agriculture in Manchuria. Since Marshal Chang Hsuenliang succeeded his father in the government of Manchuria, he has pursued a constructive policy in education and municipal developments, and has consistently given recognition to and cooperated with the National Government in Nanking, thereby making Manchuria more truly an integral part of China than even in his father's time. This last point especially has roused the fear and ire of the Japanese, and they have been threatening to' take a strong hand in Manchuria for some time.

"The ultimate goal of Japanese policy I in Manchuria, in' spite of all protesta- j tions to the contrary, is annexation, just as they annexed Korea in the past My heart is heavy with sorrow for my innocent fellow-country-men, ground down under the heel of Japanese militarism. I have only just come back from Mukden, and I know the unsuspecting people there had not the slightest inkling that a veritable hell was going to burst over them so suddenly. The attack was wholly unwarranted The whole case recalls to my mind the Tsinan incident of some four years ago. The only difference is that this Manchurian incident is even less justified because of anything China had done; it is a wanton act of aggression pure and simple. "The first reaction of the Chinese people over these events is naturally one of indignation and sorrow. But word has gone out from the authorities counselling calmness so as not to fall into the trap baited for us by Japan. The second reaction is the demand that Canton abandon its revolt against the National Government, and unite with Nanking to meet this common .menace. From Peiping alone I know scores of telegrams have been dispatched to Canton urging unity. This is at least one gleam of light in an otherwise dark situation."