APPALLING COST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1941, Page 9

APPALLING COST

MISGIVINGS IN JAPAN

EYES NOW OPENED

LOSING FRIENDS ABROAD

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received January 18, 11 a.m.)

RUGBY, January 17. "The Times," in a leader entitled "Japan's Grave Hour," says: "The purpose of the series of meetings which is being held by Prince Konoye is undoubtedly to allay widespread misgivings about results at home and abroad. "The appalling casualty figures which are now becoming known in Tokio must blazon to the eyes of even the most purblind in Japan the terrible cost of the attempt to conquer China, which remains unconquered after nearly four years of war. Nor do they represent all the losses which the militaristic policy of the last sixyears has involved. "The cost in money is mounting to such an extent as to cast doubt upon the future solvency of the country. Moreover the policy of militarism involves in Japan, as everywhere else, another loss—the loss of liberty at home. The liberal traditions which the Japanese statesmen of the previous generation had carefully built up are going by the board, and to the loss of life and income is being added k>ss of civil rights. "The Japanese public cannot fail to see that the policy of soldiers and sailors is having just as bad an influence in external as in home affairs, for relations with the United States are rapidly deteriorating. "The present policy of the Japanese Government seems to be leading the country to financial ruin and dissension between militarists and politicians atiiome and abroad over the extension of a war which already strains the national resources to an almost unbearable "degree. •

"The United States is being truculently bidden to refrain from helping Britain, while Japan is doing what she can to help Germany. President Roosevelt, of course, is not in the least affected by the Japanese threats, and the United States continues to assist both Britain and China."

Japanese newspapers are not waiting for the official statement; and today attacked Mr. Hull with great fury