Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 1937. AMERICA AND JAPAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1937, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 1937. AMERICA AND JAPAN.

Japan is one of tliree nations in alliance which, prefer to act first and then to explain, and if necessary apologise. She has the example of her Western friends. - Germany defiantly tore up the treaties of peace and made what explanations of her pqlicy she thought necessary; Italy follows similar lines in her foreign policy, and Japan all through the present conflict in China has shown a marked disposition to disregard the rights of foreign Powers and their representatives. Attacks on the British Ambassador, on foreign shipping, and other incidents in the International Settlement, particularly after the investment of Shanghai, have been typical of this spirit among her troops. The authorities at Tokio have been quick to apologise for the many violations of foreign rights which have taken place and outrages against foreign civilians, but in spite of promises to avoid any further- contretemps irresponsible acts have continued. Now another unwarranted attack at Nanking has brought Japan into very strained relations with the United States. It is the most serious of many happenings, and in other times might easily have precipitated war. The American gunboat Panay, anchored in the Yangtse-kiang River, close to several oil tankers, was bombed by Japanese airmen in their determination to wipe out everything they believe to be Chinese. The warship and three tankers were sunk and several lives lost. In addition two British ships of war were fired at by Japanese artillery. Such a direful mistake has been speedily recognised by Japan and an apology made at the request of President Roosevelt; but American anger has been deeply stirred at such au unprovoked attack, and not only is compensation being sought' but also a personal apology from the sacred person of the Emperor, and assurances that such incidents will not again occur.

The Japanese Government and the Army Command in the field and at home must feel the position deeply, for the United States has Britain’s support. Unfortunately there is very good reason for the view that Japan’s attacks on the rights of neutrals “undoubtedly have been inspired by propaganda within Japan’s armed forces, and which has the tacit approval of their general officers, The Japanese military folk in the field have become contemptuous of the rights of Occidentals in China, and there is among them a craving to express that contempt with high explosives.” Japan, however, must be taught, and plainly enough too, that there are limits beyond which she cannot go even though the exigencies of war make the position difficult for her, Any assurances she gives are quite valueless unless

the Army Command .is disciplined to obey them; in fact, there can be no end to untoward incidents until her “imperialistic adventure” as the New York Times calls it is liquidated and her invading army is taken from Chinese soil. But Japan has no intention of doing this, though by the conquest of further territory in North China, the capture of Shanghai and Nanking, and determination to crush the Nanking Government and Chinese spirit, she is in fact making her position there all the more desperate economically, for China is her best market. If Japan is to retain the goodwill of Western nations, chiefly Britain and the United States, she must realise the gravity of the offences her troops have committed in the past few days and punish severely those responsible to prevent further excesses. The firmest action is necessary, so that the rights of foreign countries which are legitimately guarding their interests in China will not be imperilled any more and the peace of the world endangered.