REMARKABLE BOOK

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20695, 4 January 1939, Page 5

REMARKABLE BOOK

“WHEAT AND SOLDIERS” AN UNPLEASANT FEELING (United Press Assn.—Flee. Tel. Copyrig-ati TOKIO, Jan. 3 A Japanese sergeant, Katsunori Tamai, using the pen-name of Ashibei Hino, has written a book. “Wheat and SoMiers,” the vogue of which in Japan may be compared with that of “All Quiet on the Western Front” in Europe. Half a million copies have been sold all over Japan. In strange contrast to the general flood of Jingoism, the hook contains a confession of the unpleasant feeling of killing Chinese, “because they strongly resemble Japanese.” “ We feel that they might be our neighbours instead of our enemies,” says the author. “We tell ourselves there is good reason for hating them, hut the unpleasant feeling remains.” Telling how he felt when a shell almost hit him, Tamai says:—“l was seized with violent rage that precious life can be so easily damaged. We soldiers are also husbands and fatlftrs of the utmost value to the nation.”

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