“LONG-EARED" MATSUI

Evening Star, Issue 22893, 26 February 1938, Page 3

“LONG-EARED" MATSUI

One of the highest compliments that can be paid to a man in authority in J apan is to refer to his long ears—they connote great wisdom. General I wane Matsui, Uommander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces in Shanghai, is known to ins officers and to the foreign Press correspondents as “ Long-eared . Matsui.” So it can well be imagined that when he berated his generals, including'' a Prince of the Royal House, he was heard with respect. Some recent incidents, he said, had besmirched the honour of the army; discipline must be tightened and prestige enhanced, in the field General Matsui shares the discomforts of his army. When the foreign correspondents were granted an interview recently in his secret headquarters there was water an inch deep on the floor of the dugout, paper was pasted over a broken window, and rain was leaking through the roof. Matsui quoted an old Chinese proverb: “My, son, when you are convinced of righteousness, go straight forward, even against unfavourable circumstances.’’ Tnat, he said, was Japan’s position in China to-day. He had worked for 20 years in the interests of co-operation between «Japan and China, and had only kindly feelings toward China’s 400,000,000 people. To him one of the ironies of the war was that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, the Chinese leader, was an old personal friend who had trained for war in the Tokio military academy. He (General Matsui) was also formerly disciple, friend, and financial supporter of Dr Sun Yat Senwhose sun had not yet set. General Matsui is. young as. generals go—just under 60. ,