FROM WEEK TO WEEK

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1941, Page 8

FROM WEEK TO WEEK

By

H. Winston Rhodes

Japan's Allies.

Since I last wrote in this column reports have been received from China of .significant. happenings which may have far-reaching, consequences not. only in the Pacific area but. throughout the world. It is a scathing commentary on our news service that, as far as I know, there has been no attempt to inform and explain to the general public issues which not only have an important bearing on actions which may have Io be 'taken in the future but also have an important, hearing on actions which should be taken immediately in order to prevent the spread of the war to the Pacific.

Some time ago I gave a brief account of attempts which had been made to break the united front of Chinese resistance to Japan. Early in 1940 it seemed posible that the isolated conflicts which had taken place between supporters of the central armies of China and supporters of the Eighth Route army might lead to civil war and a' sell-out to Japan. I suggested then the probable results of the collapse of the united front; and now, because of recent developments I must return to the same theme.

This is no subject of academic importance. It is not something which affects the Chinese people alone. It is of immense importance to us all, The collapse of the united front in China would free Japan for a southern drive and this might prove of tremendous value to Hitler during the next few months.

Is it Treachery?

Not so long ago Japan's military forces were at least partially withdrawn from Southern China. There is little doubt that this was done not only for strategic reasons and as a preparatory step for southward expansion, but also to pave the way for renewed peace negotiations. This withdrawal becomes all the more significant now that we learn that the peace proposals were more gentle than any which had been put forward previously and stressed the need for co-operation between southern China and Japan against the “Communist men’ace.” It is clear that, probably under pressure from Germany, the Japanese leaders were trying to drive a wedge between the democratic fores in China and the feudal and capitalist, supporters of the Kuomintang.

Since that time there has been practically no lighting between the Japanese armies and the central armies of China. All the energy ol Japan’s military machine has been directed against the Eighth Route Army in the north and the Fourth Route Army, which is its staunch ally. Every'effort has been made to Drove to the Chinese supporters of appeasement that J'apan is fighting against the “Communist menace.” It will be remembered that last September the Eighth Route Army launched a gigantic guerilla attack in the north-west. Considerable victories were gained, hundreds of miles of Japanese communications were destroyed and an immense amount, of war material was captured. We have heard practically nothing since then.

Recent news from China relates what happened afterwards. When the Eighth Route Army fell back it found that it was ringed round oy Chinese forces. The Fourth Route Army found itself in a similar position. Chinese were fighting Chinese. Early in October orders were received from Chungking that both the Eighth Route Army and the Fourth Route Army must-withdraw all forces north of the Yellow River. In spite of protests that this would play into the hands of Japan the orders remained. In one part of the country a whole army connected with the central armies of China wen': over to the Eighth Route Army. The military command of another army when ordered by the Governor of the province to march against the Fourth Route Army wired to Chungking accusing the Governor of treachery. The Coolie War. What is the meaning of these disastrous events? The meaning is that some succes has been achieved by Japan, under German advice, in the attempt to drive a wedge between the central armies and the armies, of the north. The united front of Chinese resistance seems to be on the point of collapse. If it collapses a new situation will arise which will divide China into two camps. There is little doubt in my own mind that this will mean co-operation between the reactionary elements in China inside the Kuomintang and the Japanese leaders against the Communist menace, which really means against all the forces working for a new democratic order for China. And this in turn will mean a sudden and spectacular change in the foreign policy of the Soviet Union.

Nevertheless it would be unwise to under-estimate the power and strength of the progressive people’s movement in China. It is sometimes said that the war in China is a' coolie's war, and to a large extent this is true. The masses of Chinese workers and peasants have learnt more in the last three years about politics, about the possibilities of democracy,' about the co-operative movement, about their own country and the' forces they are fighting than in any other period of their existence. The exploits of the Eighth Route Army have become legendary. Experience has taught them the horrors of civil war and the two incidents to which I have referred heavily underline this statement. The Chinese fifth column, which is prepared to make a deal with Ja’pan. works among governors of provinces

and high officials as in other countries and may not be able to persuade the “coolies” that J'apan’s new order in Asia is the same as the new order which the “coolies” desire.

It is possible that the Japanese drive against the Eighth and Fourth Route Armies of the north which synchronised so well with the Chinese drive against them was a preliminary try-out to see whether the appeasers could hope for popular support. It may be that further “experiments” will be made with . the lives and happiness of the Chinese “coolies.” It may be that, the appeasers will decide that popular support is not forthcoming and will halfheartedly continue the war against Japan. From this distance it is impossible to tell what will happen, but it is possible to state emphatically that the destruction of China s united resistance against Japan wil) play into the hands of the German leaders and will increase a hundredfold the chances of Japanese southern expansion. It is also well to remember that should the united front collapse we may expect a wave of propaganda directed against the Eighth and Fourth Route Armies, and of course against the Soviet Union.