PATRIOTIC FERVOUR

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 8

PATRIOTIC FERVOUR

Tremendous Wave Evident In Japan

FLAGS FLY EVERYWHERE

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, September 27.

The tremendous patriotic fervour being shown by the whole Japanese nation at present was described by Mr. E. S. Nichol, of the Invercargill oflice of Wright, Stephenson and Company, Limited, when he arrived at Auckland by the Chifuku Maru from Miike. Everywhere he'went Mr. Nichol saw Japanese flags flying from office buildings, houses, stores and farmhouses, and thousands and thousands of people packed railway stations and wharves to see troops off for, the front. A crowd of 50,000 attended a spectacular fireworks display at Osaka when Mr. Nichol was there, and he said by far the most popular items were an exceptionally well-done series showing a building being attacked by aeroplanes and ta'nks and, when the ultimate destruction of the building was achieved, fireworks picked out a huge representation of the Japanese flag. At the sight tlie whole crowd went almost delirious with joy.

Nichol arrived in Japan on July 19, and even then, he said, there was quite a noticeable amount of excitement, which increased daily as the crisis approached. By August every railway station, both in the cities and in the country, was being thronged witli people cheering departing troops and waving flags. As war broke out. and continued, newspapers began to issue war extras at intervals throughout the day. They wero sold by boys who shook bells as they went, and Mr. Nichol said the sound of bells ringing was to be heard all the time.

From Japan lie went to Shanghai, and as his steamer went up the river it passed several ships crammed with people. They were even packed into the ship’s boats, and oue which was at the wharf had so many refugees scrambling on board that for four hours police had to drive some off so that the ship could leave the wharf without sinking. Mr. Nichol left Shanghai the day before the first bombing, and went on to Hong-Kong, where, he said, the city was rapidly being filled with European refugees. When the time arrived for him to return to Japan he found that the first ship from Hong-Kong had been booked out for Japanese refugees. The second, the Empress of Asia, was Commandeered by the British to take troops to the international area at Shanghai, and he was able to take passage only on the third ship.

The difference between the two countries noticed by Mr. Nichol was that whereas in China Japanese nationals definitely ran the risk of interference, in Japan Chinese who were there seemed to walk about the streets in perfect safety. Mr. Nichol found that he was free to do what he wished except for the usual police supervision, particularly in industrial areas. Some of the ordinary shipping was disorganised, and cargo was piling up on the wharves because the mercantile marine had been called upon for transports. He thought at least 200 ships had been used for taking soldiers across to China. JAPAN LIKELY TO WIN Unexpected Opposition Dominion Special Service. Auckland, September 27. “The general opinion is that Japan will come out on top,” said Mr. S. Raymond Norris, of L. D. Nathan and Company, Limited, who returned from a business trip to the East by the tea from Sydney. Mr. Norris saw the outbreak of hostilities at both Shanghai and Canton, and also witnessed the effects of the typhoon which recently struck Hong-Kong. Mr. Norris said the Japanese were well supplied with the needs of war, with aeroplanes, heavy guns, tanks and other mechanical lighting equipment. They bad never expected the opposition that the Chinese were putting up, however. In 1932, when the Japanese attacked Chapei, lighting was over in a week. By the way the Chinese were opposing them on this occasion, the war might go on for a year. Even though they wore forced to retire, the Chinese might long be troublesome to the Japanese by keeping up constant guerilla warfare. “The Chinese have never been so united as they are to-diry,” said Mr. Norris. They were very bitter against Japan, which was losing its biggest market, Chinese trade accounting for between 50 and 60 per cent, of Japanese exports. In Singapore and Java, where much of the business wars done by Chinese merchants, Japan was nlso losing trade through a boycott being placed on her goods. ' . . Mr. Norris said many of the big industrial people in Japan were opposed to war. it appeared, however, that the military element'was trying to regain the lost prestige which it had sacrificed when an attempt early last year to secure a military dictatorship failed. In the present hostilities the Government. had the full backing of the general public, which was proving very patriotic. When Mr. Norris was in Japan earlv in August troops were being sent to Mauehuktio. where trouble was expected. There were then 300,000 mon under arms, and it was expected that by t.he middle of September there would be 500,000. _ Though they sympathised with the Chinese manv well-informed business men and merchants at Shanghai considered it would be better for the city if Japan won. One result would be that there would be more law and order In the city. After being evacuated separately from Shanghai, Mr. and Mrs. Norris joined each other again at Hong-Kong. Mrs. Norris left earlier on her return to New Zealand, but as she took an indirect route she will not reach Auckland again for some days.