W. W. Yen eloquently pleading the cause of China at Geneva and calling upon the League of Nations to contrast. Japanese militarism with China's state of not being 'a military nation," it would be instructive: perhaps if telescope vision could be lent to his audience so that they could obtain a glimpse of affairs here. With his description of his Jeountry's lack of military qualifications there will be no dis position to quarrel, although it will sound a little' ironical to those who have heard the indict~ ments passed by Chinese poli jeans on the crushing burden of military expenditure, and the dominance in polities of militarist leaders. Nor is it compatible with the fervent admis tion of the military valour of the Chinese army, frequently expressed by public orators. The advantages of television are invoked not so much to give Geneva a sight of Chinese troops aimlessly sprawling across the highroads near the Settlement of Shanghai and, in various stages lof indiscipline, flourishing most dangerously their rifles or pistols un the faces of peaceful passers-by, as to reveal the sort of government for whom Dr. Yen is speaking. Whatever views may) Ibe held on the manner in which Japan is pressing her case on the attention of the Chinese it is impossible to do justice to the feause of the Chinese people without making some effort to show how they are being served those who are supposed to Tead and govern them. The moment is one of great crisis, judged by ordinary standards, Hfor at any time Japanese forces may be occupying certain points jin Chinese territory. The con-Jsequences of that action cannot be foreseen. There is not the slightest doubt that the Japanese authorities are convinced of its necessity.
and even the most pol critical observers are compelled to agree that there is ground for {their contention, Objection may be taken to the Japanese poli to use opted by one Chi adopted by one Chinese sympa-nissers a. whole. bottle is being administered to the patient when table-spoonful would have sufficed. Others hold the view that, by widening so extensively the scope of her protest which originally started in Manchuria, Japan is gravely burdening her own resources and exposing the interests of other nations to serious embarrassment.
There hi is much force in these opinions. This journal, too, is convinced that, in the long run, the application of military or naval pressure so greatly in excess of the actual requirements of the situation will do harm to Japan's Jeause and to the future relations lof all the Powers with China. This, in no way, detracts from the validity of the charges which must be brought against the so-called leaders of China. During the last few days the "national emergency" has developed intensity, An armed force of a foreign Power is on the doorstep with stringent demands present. Yet, so totally lacking fare the members of the Government in the elementary virtues of practical administration that they still are uncertain whether they "compose the Government. it all, whether they will remain in it or whether they can agree work with colleagues whose names are constantly being proposed, withdrawn and proposed again. While the Japanese Admiral is making it clearly understood that the sands are running down and that action is expected of the Chinese authorities, it is impossible to ascertain the identity of those authorities or, even, whether they exist at all. 'The Mayor of Greater Shanghai—an officer holding an important but, in the jeircumstances, a subordinate [position—is without direction or support from the superiors who appointed him. 'The statement' is vaguely mede that compliance with the Japanese demands is lyeing considered. Meanwhile troops are permitted to disport themselves in the erection of barricades which may arm not be wanted. Worse still, Just when it is desirable, on practical grounds, if for no Jother reason, to attract the sympathy of "non-Japanese na. tionals, no effort is made, apparently, to display the slightest Power of control over the wayward propensities of callow soldiers for playing with
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.