CHINA AND JAPAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23687, 20 December 1938, Page 18

CHINA AND JAPAN

DETERMINATION OF AGGRESSOR VIEWS OF AMERICAN TOURIST " The war between Japan and China will probably go on for some time, for China will not submit without a hard struggle," said Dr H. Struble. of San Francisco, in an interview on his arrival by the Maunganui to spend a holiday in New Zealand. "Japan, however, seems resolved to crush her neighbouring nation. I gained the impression that Japan was very determined in her war against China, and that she would pursue her policy to the bitter end." Dr Struble has recently completed a tour of the East. "I was in Japan when the people were celebrating the fall of Hankow, and I was in China soon after the taking of Canton," said Dr Struble. "The reactions of the two races were very different. The Japanese people were jubilant—triumphant. They do not seem to be shocked by the horror of modern warfare or the terrible conflicts in which they participate. They seem to consider themselves a race that is fighting for a right cause. The Chinese, on the other hand, are very sad about the whole matter." The Japanese had celebrated the fall of Hangkow with great enthusiasm. Thousands thronged the streets and public places, said Dr Struble, and flags waved and music sounded on all sides. The spirit of revelry was everywhere. Japan might eventually, by sheer determination, succeed in breaking down the morale of the Chinese nation, he said, but her greatest task then would be to control the people, Dr Struble intends to spend two weeks in New Zealand, in which he is very interested. Milford Sound impressed him greatly, he said; he had never seen anything to equal it lor scenic beauty. The New Zealand bush wa<? similar in many respects to that of the United States, but was more luxuriant. In the United States the expanses of open country were more barren, and the bush country was not densely covered. Discussing the outlook of most Americans on the international situation, Dr Struble said the people generally were more optimistic now that a major crisis had been overcome. Most of them had faith in their statesmen and were less apprehensive of a world war.