THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1936. FEUD IN EASTERN ASIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22539, 2 October 1936, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1936. FEUD IN EASTERN ASIA

By Japan's Foreign Office a few words of serious meaning have been said about its attitude to China: its official spokesman says his Government demands from China eradication of all anti-Japanese agitation and a readjustment of Sino-Japanese relations. The linking of the two demands is as significant as their individual purport—the first colours the second. Japan wants a readjustment that begins with China's acceptance of Japanese dictation in certain domestic affairs and ends in China's co-operation to produce peace in Eastern Asia 011 a Japanese plan. The assumptions in this are that China is solely to blame for the need to readjust relations and that Japan alone knows what is good for both nations and for the whole Orient. This deduction is not guesswork. It rests, to look po farther back, on knowledge of critical happenings since the Mukden railway incident of September, 1931. Through a succession of crises, including the creation of the independent State of Manchukuo and the further encroachment of Japanese influence into China proper southward of the Great Wall, the two great peoples of Eastern Asia have become increasingly estranged. At every turn Japan has sought to justify acknowledged aggression, placing the responsibility for an alleged necessity in this entirely on Chinese obstruction of Japanese rights. Whatever measure of truth was in the allegation when first made has dwindled perceptibly since then, until the professedly precautionary actions of Japan have grown out of all proportion to any visible cause for complaint. A steam-hammer has been used to crack a nut, its user taking care to annex the kernel. As international strategy 011 a grand scale this is not without precedent, but Japan has made conspicuously effective use of it.

It would be futile to deny the practice in China of anti-Japanese propaganda. There is evidence from both sides that it has long been operating. Dr. Kagawa, while viewing the international problems of the Orient from the tolerant standpoint of Christian ethics, has solemnly identified himself with his country's reprobation of this propaganda. General Chang Chun, China's Foreign Minister, has regretfully admitted the vigour of Chinese suspicion and hostility. Facts reported by independent foreign observers confirm such weighty statements. However, all things considered, it would be surprising if there were no anti-Japanese propaganda in China, and its occurrence, for which General Chang refuses to acknowledge the present Chinese Government's responsibility, is not enough to warrant a bellicose demand by Japan for its suppression. There was a time when American school textbooks of history were regrettably marked by an anti-British bias, but British deploring of this never took the irregular form of a hostile ultimatum. The case in Eastern Asia is not quite parallel, but the deviation is in Japan's manifest desire to dictate international—and therefore national —policies there. This may be well meant, but China's protests are equally entitled to consideration.

" Far-sighted persons in both countries," China's Foreign Minister has recently said, "have a common desire to restore the friendly feelings that should exist between the peoples and the Governments of the two countries." He quoted then with admiration the principle of "non-aggress:on and non-menace" toward neighbouring countries enunciated by one Japanese Foreign Minister, and repeated by his successor, now in office. But General Chang, while thus applauding official Japanese sentiment, has been quite as emphatic in asserting the failure of Japanese Governments to live up to their declared ideal. In particular, he has deprecated—in words applicable to China also—the growth of peevish animosities: "it does not avail matters to indulge in mutual recriminations, to harp on vague principles, or to utter threats of coercion or of reprisals." The present temper in the two peoples, unfortunately, makes living up to this ideal extremely difficult. By the rank and file, even by some in high places of political opportunity, it is too often despised. The ascendancy of naval and military factions in Japan, and the immature organisation of a China still struggling valiantly to bring order out of chaos, together obstruct peace. Theoretical Japanese strivings after a beneficent hegemony get twisted out of all reasonable shape, and Chinese hopes of a peaceful arrival at administrative efficiency are bafflingly thwarted. The present demands of Japan tend to thrust the day of mutual understanding farther off than ever. If China does not comply with them, Japanese ire may take a reckless turn; if China does comply, there will be painfully deferred, by a deepened sense of grievance, the era of peace needed in our Near East for its own sake and the world's. Japan's latest words are serious; they may be found sinister,;