The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1932. THE EASTERN CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 27, 2 February 1932, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1932. THE EASTERN CRISIS.

.For Me cot/sc that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the yood that we can do.

The only hopeful feature about the present situation in the Far East is that China has not yet officially declared Avar on Japan. But nevertheless the Nanking Government has announced that the whole Chinese nation is "resolved to repulse the Japanese regardless of sacrifice." This means Avar, Avhatcvcr terms may be employed to disguise the truth, and the present condition of affairs at Shanghai confirms it. In spite of the armistice, which relieved the tension for a moment, fighting has broken out there again, Mid the Japanese authorities have announced that 5000 more troops are on their way to the scene of action. The natural effect of those latest developments has been to intensity the apprehension aroused throughout the world by Japan's aggression. The Government of the United States has forwarded no less than three distinct protests to Japan, denouncing the attack upon Shanghai as "a violation of international rights." Moreover, Britain, France and Italy, as Avell as America, are sending warships and troops to Shanghai to protect their interests. Evidently all the Powers are aroused to a sense of the danger that now menaces the' world's peace, and they are endeavouring, so far by diplomatic means, to bring pressure on Japan to induce her to desist. Xo doubt the Japanese fully realise the aAvkwardncss of the situation, and already there is a rumour that they are preparing to offer conciliatory explanations at Washington, attributing these unfortunate occurrences to the "blunders" of the Japanese naval commander directing operations at Shanghai. But so far there is no sign of any concerted policy among the Powers, nor is there any indication that they are seriously concerned about the extremely important principles involved in this dangerous situation. The Bishop of Ripon has done well to remind the British nation that Britain's intervention, so far as it has gone, has not been even professedly based upon "the cruel Avrong done to China or the violation of the international fabric and of the solemn promises on Avhich the peace of the Avorld depended." This is painfully true, and it is A r ery little satisfaction to admit that the Americans have to some extent raised the issues that Britain has so far ignored. It may be rather late in the day for Dr. Burroughs to criticise the League of Nations for its "ostrich-like" attitude and its futile commissions of inquiry, when "a mere hint of economic ostracism" might have restrained Japan. But most patriotic Englishmen will agree with him that "a grave protest on the grounds of principle" Avould even now enhance Britain's prestige and help to convince the world that the British nation is still interested in the v-itally important moral issues underlying this conflict. Unfortunately, there is only too much reason to fear that public attention at Home is heing concentrated for the most part on material interests and issues. The "Daily Mail" has declared emphatically that Britain must not intervene against "our old friends the Japanese;" Avho have already given a specific undertaking "in respect of British interests." This exponent of blatant materialism even goes so far as to assert that "no vital British interest is at stake" in this controversy. But Britain, as signatory to the Covenant of the League and the Kellogg Pact, and the Nine PoAvers Treaty bound herself to protect the integrity of China and to prevent any forcible interference with her national rights. Is Britain's pledged word to count for nothing? Is the "Daily Mail" completely converted to the doctrines which induced the Germans in 1914 to ridicile the idea that Britain was bound by "honour" to defend Belgium, and which encouraged the Kaiser to tear up the "scrap of paper" that sealed his doom? It will be an evil day for Britain if ever she is ready to sacrifice her honour for material gain, and if ever she alloAvs political advantage and commercial profit to out-Avcigh in the balance the principles of Right and Justice.