The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1937. CHINA’S AWAKENING.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1937, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1937. CHINA’S AWAKENING.

Tub reality of China’s awakening is being brought home to the world. In the °pi‘esent conflict with Japan for the defence of the country, ' after i* month’s strenuous fighting Japan with all the advantage of naval forces and mechanised machinery, has made hut a trifling advance at Shanghai, while in the North, the early advantages are discounted now hv the advance of friendly Chinese who have linked op with the national deleave. Japan has realised the war is not going to oe brief, and is preparing to budget for a period extending into 1938. This realisation confirms the evidence ot the tenacity and bravery, and even success. with which the Chinese forces are meeting the invaders. ( hina has a distinct advantage in man power, and if the call to arms is responded to in the same way h.v the local iorees. then japan has a most difficult task to perform to gain the coveted victory. Meantime, the leaders in Chinn mo telling the world just what is happen\v , ;m d why, together with a plain rntement of the world consequences if Japan gains the mastery on the Asiatic continent. I he remarkable broadcast by Madame Chiang Kai shelc. the wife of the Chinese muiomt, lead-

er, is a case in point. The lady is the most prominent t'e'male figure . in China, being the elder daughter of the late Sun Yet Sun who was responsible in the late past lor starting the reorganisation of China. Chiang KaiShek was the accredited successor co Sun Y r et Sun, and lie and liis wife hold great sway. The particulars ot the broadcast published on Monday by the lady, were sent directly to the United States. An earlier attempt had been made to broadcast, but the Japanese, learning of the intention, bombed the station, and the broadcast was postponed necessarily. Great, secrecy was observed in sending out the broadcast which went through, and its terse review so much to the point, must be causing much stir in the • world. The clear review ot the situ- ! ation can he guaged judging by the cabled news which has come through, to be a fair statement of fact, and the conclusions reached are those forced upon the Chinese after the strug- 1 gles which have gone on in the past 1 to prevent the domination of the mi- j fcion by Japan. The appeal to the Powers will stir up public opinion. At . large, the position of Abyssinia will not he forgotten when the nation was beaten down h.v an invader. Once again the League of Nations has a problem wTiicli involves its very existence if a ruthless war and destruction is to be permitted without protest and possible action. It can he realised that the international situation is frought with the greatest difficulty, but these recurring situations which are going from had to worse are only piling lip a position when in the final struggle national life in general may he at stake. Madame Chiang KaiShek has read the world a lesson which the diplomats of the world responsible for the foreign policy, cannot ignore. It is at once an appeal and a challenge, and it is for the Powers to answer. The appeal was made in the first instance to America, but no other nation believing in the sanctity of treaties and the in* intenance of western principles, can afford to ignore this eastern appeal which so typically marks China’s complete awakening.