MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1932, WAR IN THE EAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1932, Page 6

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1932, WAR IN THE EAST.

According' to a report cabled yesterday from Shanghai, the National Government of China has decided to declare war on Japan. It seems that this formality has not yet been carried out, but its omission makes no difference to the actual state of affairs in the Far East. For Chinese and Japanese troops have been fighting in Manchuria for months past, and the attack carried out by the Japanese forces upon Shanghai last week is an act of war in the fullest sense of the term. The rumour of an armistice will be greeted with relief by all who look with horror on the bare possibility of another great war. But Japanese aggression at and around Shanghai necessarily involves European and American interests as well, and the fact that Japanese troops have already destroyed a building inside the International Settlement area is a sufficiently clear indication of the danger to which the world's peace is now exposed by Japan's sudden onslaught upon China. It is not surprising that public feeling in Europe and America has been profoundly stirred by these events, and the United States has approached Britain to ask whether London is inclined to co-operate with Washington in some concerted line of policy in this great crisis. At first it seemed that Britain, influenced by the considerations which produced the Anglo-Japanese alliance that was abrogated nine years ago, was inclined to prefer neutrality and to evade her responsibility in China. But the latest news is more reassuring. Britain and the United States have formally protested against the occupation of Shanghai by Japan, and though no definite threat or warning has been conveyed to Tokyo, it is likely that the joint remonstrance from these two great Powers will induce Japan to hold her hand in time. But, of course, there is the alternative to be considered, and already diplomats and journalists everywhere are speculating about ■ tho probable consequences of a renewal of hostilities. China has now formally invoked the intervention of the League of Nations under articles 10 and 15 of the Covenant. It is highly significant that a Japanese delegate, addressing the Council, has complained that the Chinese have still further complicated a "delicate and dangerous situation" by appealing to an agreement which Japan as well as China has signed along with the other Powers. But thougli the League cannot deny China's right to ask its aid, it is by no means clear what form this assistance will take. For it is certain that the members of tho League cannot be induced to take combined military and naval action; and tho only other means available is joint diplomatic and economic pressure. But the bare suggestion of an economic boycott has raised a storm of protest in America, which would suffer seriously through any interference with her Oriental trade; and when we remember that in 1914-15 the Americans were ready to fight the Allies for hampering their trade with Germany, we may dismiss any expectation of help in that form from that quarter. The situation is thus not only dangerous at present, but extremely dubious and precarious for the future, and the most encouraging omen visible on the horizon just now is the obvious indignation aroused throughout Europe and America by the revival of Japan's aggressive policy against China. In Britain the habitual moderation and self-control of the leadingjournals, and the Conservative prejudice in favour of the old Anglo-Japanese alliance, have so far prevented frank and outspoken criticism of Japan. But in America there are no such bars to complete freedom of speech, and such influential organs as the "Chicago Tribune," the "New York Herald-Tribune" and the "New York Times" .have declared for China and against Japan with no uncertain voice. The "New York Times" in particular describes this sudden disruption of the world's peace as worse than any ordinary war, and it adds that "if Japan has destroyed her standing' and repute among the nations she has only herself to blame." Possibly the pressure of the world's public opinion may succeed where other arguments have failed, and Japan may be brought to reason before the conflagration that she has kindled gets entirely beyond control.