The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1938. PROTRACTED WARS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1938, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1938. PROTRACTED WARS.

The experience of the -combatants in the Great War, as indeed the world at large, showed that vyar nowadays could not be completed to a time-table. That ’experience: is - being* .repeated in the theatres of war to-day. j Eyen the Abyssinian campaign Mis not yet restored the country to tranquility, though over certain domains, the Italians have the complete mastery, -but must remain always watchful. The Palestine revolt is another instance where calculations have been upset. It was thought by rushing in troops and mediating with a due sense of proportion for -both sides, that peace would be won. It is far from that stage yet and the Royal Commission lias departed on return to make a fresh proposal in the endeavour to give the country quietude. But the major example of war long drawn out, and the „cbb and flow of possible victory, is to be found in Spain. Once again when Franco appeared to be marching to a complete victory, the loyalists have “come again,” and orico more upset the plans of his staff, assister by mercenaries who are equipped with the modern engines of warfare which it is thought must play a great part in the next major conflict. 13ut the aerial machines of Germany and Italy said to be participating, and tlikmgh responsible for- tiamage to ships and undefended towns, cannot make the impression desired on the fighting forces either in death dealing or destruction of morale. Handicapped for the want of lighting machines, the loyalists not only resist, but.from time to time take the initiative in attack, and drive hack Franco’s levies with devastating effect. This repetition of tactics must be very disconcerting to the foreign officers assisting Franco, and liihst cause the dictators much anxious thought about the home defences should a well-equipped attack be made by a great Power. Then in China, Japan essayed to account'

for the Chinese in double quiqk time. It had been done before, so why not again? But in the interval a new China had been born, and though caught, in its very early beginning, was able to give the invaders,the real surprise. Here again the attacking forces were equipped with all the resources of a great Power, but found n, foe, ill-equipped though it was, to light tenaciously in all circumstances. So at the present Japan is war weary, and* is economising domestically to ensure every effort at the front. But the outlook is blacker. In Mancliukuo, the position is not safe, and with Russia across the frontier aggressive and unrelenting, Japan is anxious for peace, terms in that quarter. Were Japan called on to face a major land attack ijh' Northern Clpna,.. her, post-: tion in the south would be -..in , (hegravest jeopardy.. The capture;of imany. points and £lie sacrifice and-destruc-tion would be for nought. Japan is being drained severely , and if at this stage a fresh conflict breaks out in the north, the fruits of years of effort on the continent of Asia will be lost. Russia is playing a strong hand while Japan endeavours to temporise, but will probably accept the terms, as was done on a former occasion. Japan. has learned- the lesson probably by this time, that war does irot Ipiay, and would willingly reach a peace witn China if on any satisfactory terms at all. In the cases mentioned, the lesson is the same, war is uncertain * and destructive to both sides. For that reason we may he thankful that Britain is -endeavouring to • keep the peace, and prevent other European nations from creating a general ■ conflict. ; ■