Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1936. IN THE FAR EAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 223, 21 September 1936, Page 6

Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1936. IN THE FAR EAST

pilE situation in China is one of extreme delicacy and because of it the incident at Fengtai carries with it a greater significance than appears on the face of things. For instance, it should not matter much to two countries that some ignorant civil guards should pass insulting or slighting remarks to Japanese soldiers as they pass by in column. There is nothing unusual in ignorant people behaving badly. Unfortunately, the two peoples concerned in this incident do not view the matter in this light. The Japanese are conscious, perhaps ovcr-eonscious, of their own prestige. They feel that their success should by now have impressed the Chinese. But such incidents as at Fengtai indicate that the Chinese have not yet been sufficiently impressed. That is aggravating to the Japanese soldiers. There is another reason why the incident is of significance, and that is that since the submission of the Canton Government to the Nanking rulers China is fast becoming a united country. Has this consciousness of new power been felt by the rank and file of the people? Certainly the Japanese have recently found a mueh more truculent China to deal with. Fengtai is in the North of China, and even though the incident does lead to hostilities it does not appear that, there need be any immediate fear of the Chinese Government nt Nanking being more seriously embarrassed in the future by the invading Japanese force than it is now. The Japanese will be able to extend their sphere of occupation. but in so doing they will increase the strain upon themselves. China, on the other hand, is likely to consolidate her position in the South, and if she accomplishes that the newfound confidence of the Chinese of flic North may have solid found a lion. ________