The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 33, 1937. NEW "MASTER" AT SHANGHAI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 270, 13 November 1937, Page 8

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 33, 1937. NEW "MASTER" AT SHANGHAI.

/"or fAe cause that lacks assistance. For the that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that toe can do.

The Japanese Commander at Shanghai announces that he is now "master" there, and that ho feels free to take any stops dictated by military necessity regarding the International Settlement. Ho is reported as saying also that he is unable to accept responsibility for the protection of the rights and interests of the various Powers concerned nt Shanghai. That is a typically bold statement, the significance of which is doubtless being considered now in the Foreign Offices of the Powers concerned. How much does the statement mean, and has it the support of the Japanese Governmentf As to the last question, the relationship between the Japanese Government and Army is so peculiar that it is quite possible that the General made his statement without the knowledge of the Government, but the Government would think long before it publicly rebuffed a General, particularly a victorious one. During the fight for possession of Shanghai life and property in the International Settlement have been constantly in danger from the military operations of both Chinese and Japanese. The Japanese having gained supremacy, thi3 danger presumably will disappear, for the scene of the fighting will bo removed. The Japanese will sternly control the Chinese city, and remove all danger of attacks upon their forces from any Chinese soldiers remaining. In the International Settlement, however, there'are now large numbers of refugees, some of whom no doubt have been actively resisting the Japanese, and possibly hope to do so again. The Japanese commander may be naturally concerned Jest the security of his forces be endangered by Chinese within the borders of the Settlement, in which the authorities, he alleges, aro "pro-Chinese." It is reasonable to suppose that the foreign Powers with property nnd subjects in the Settlement are no less concerned on this score, and that they will endeavour in their own interests to remove the danger. The foreign residents have to adjust themselves to a new situation, and, provided there is no unjustified assertion by the Japanese, the adjustment may be made without undue friction. But there is natural anxiety lest the Japanese, on the ground of "military necessity," should endeavour to gain a position from which it would be difficult to dislodge them when the necessity no longer existed.

The issue raised by the Japanese General's statement disclaiming responsibility for the {protection of foreign Powers' rights and [interests is much more important. There is, [or has been, among foreign residents on the China Coast a body of opinion which, with only minor misgivings, welcomes the advent of Japanese control, as it brings an assurance of order and security. That opinion will quickly change if the Japanese act, or refrain from acting, in such a way as to endanger or destroy foreign interests. Meanwhile it is to be noted that the Japanese Government, in its reply to the invitation to attend the Brussels Conference, has intimated very clearly that it wants no interference from the Western Powers. Its attitude may be summed up by saying that it does not want a negotiated peace, but a Japanese peace. In this it is perfectly consistent. It will be recollected that the Japanese have, in effect, affirmed a Monroe doctrine for Eastern Asia, that they do not approve of the League's assistance to reconstruction in China, and do not want foreign financiers to lend money to the Nanking Government. In short, Japan's determined intention is to be predominant in China. If she gains a complete military victory, the clash of her policy with that of the Western Powers will become sharply apparent. None of the Powers is likely to provoke a crisis in their relations with her, but unless her power is used with moderation nnd discretion such a crisis is inevitable.