The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY' JUNE 22, 1938. WAR’S HOLOCAUSTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1938, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY' JUNE 22, 1938. WAR’S HOLOCAUSTS.

The intensity of present day warfare, whether in Spain or Japan or in the aftermath of the Austrian annexation, and in Palestine, present pictures of cruel sacrifice which are revolting; 'l'he bombing which has been going on in a wholesale manner in both Spain and Japan has been ruthless in the extreme. Despite repeated protests, the reply has been expressions of regret, anj the intimation that it was not intended to fire on other than military objectives. However, in regal'd to Canton bombing, there was the more frank statement by trie Japanese statesman, that in bombing civilians and destroying private property, the object was to break the morale of the people in the endeavour to terminate the war. In Austria and Germany the extreme persecution of the Jews continues, with all the terror of medieval methods, combined with open robbery of the people’s possessions. The judgment of civilisation on this reign of terror should not be hard to discern, but the wonder is how long such a sacrifice of human life is to go on. In Spain the war appears to be nearing its end, but the resoluteness of the Government forces against odds, is still a remarkable demonstration of patriotic loyalty to an apparently lost cause. In China, nemesis appears to have taken a hand, and the flooding is producing a state of stalemate which will check the war’s progress in the main centre of attack. Whether the flooding was started bv design, or from the heavy bombing of the Japanese attack, the effect is the same, A vast area is under water, and both sides are striving lo escape the rising and spreading waters, as the flood makes its way seaward and southward. It is now beyond human checking, and with the rainy season prevailing, the flood will continue for some time. This state of affairs may enforce an armistice, with time for deliberation on the course of events. Tt is apparent that Japan has encountered a problem of unexpected difficulty. 'l'lie now China has shown an ability to resist far beyond expect a I ion. Though China had prepared ft defensive programme, the resources were not equal to a year’s intensive

fighting. The resistance offered to

land and air forces lias heeif remarkable. Japan has complete mastery on the sea, but has not been able to use that advantage, beyond in the lull transport of reinforcements, which have been poured into China. China’s casualties must have been very great, but those of Japan have been large too, and now the loss will be intensified by the loss of ground won. as will mobile artillery and transport through the devastation of the Hood. The war is not supposed to be popular in Japan, but what ensues now will make the attempt less popular. The country is being drained in man power and materia], while trade all over the world will be lost. The national prestige will be affected too by the drastic methods of warfare indulged in, and the extreme steps in ruthless bombing of non-combatants, and great destruction and waste of property.