But what is impressing and distressing the people of this large and wealthy province is the gross injustice and unfairness of the present struggle. Japanese military advisors are too well trained and too intelligent not to know that China was by no means ready or prepared to fight Japan, But West China with the rest of China saw that Japan was not only bent, but determined to force an issue, West China, which comprises Szechuen, Kueichow and Yunnan, has a population of some 90,000,000 and these three provinces are as determined as the Central Government to withstand this unjust aggression and ruthless warfare on the part of Japan, And the conclusion they have arrived at is something like this: Japan, in spite of what she says to the contrary, is bent on wrecking the young Republic, not because China has leanings towards Communism, which is mere Japanese piffle, but because fear has seized the hearts of the warlords, And this is where the people in this large province see the injustice and unfairness of the present Szechuen, with every other part of the Republic, is preparing for a long struggle. Brussels, Geneva and Washington are broken reeds. What" ever the end of the struggle may be, a new nation has been born, thanks to the present Japanese onslaught. Boys and girls, young men and women, all over West China foresee the significance of Japanese friendship and domination, An iron heel on any boot is there to crush and oppress, What has impressed Szechuenese at the present time is the interest being taken by the Chinese merchant in the struggle in the north and at the coast, Business men as a mule take very little interest in China's internecine wars, but the present aggression has stirred their indignation. If it is a mere question of commerce, they say then let us trade and be friendly. But the merchant in West China can now see for himself that Japan has other things "up her sleeve" and among them a strong boot with an iron heel.
How can the Szechuen businessman possibly stand aside and take no interest in the present life and death struggle? His very existence depends on his present attitude and so a strong militia is being formed ell over West China to defend the hearths and homes of her people. West China has the sympathy of her people in the present unjust attack upon her territory. Szechuen is firmly convinced that the only way out is to fight and resist: other methods have been tried and failed.
One unfortunate outcome of the struggle is the militarization of West China, Chin-ili-ba saw the beginning of this militarization of Szechuen and it has gone on steadily ever since. And Japan's attitude and aggression since that date have driven the province to further military preparation, Can Japan deny to China what she is seeking for herself? The nations of the world to-day are seeking safety in association and armaments. Can anyone deny to China the privileges of other countries? Apparently in some quarters this is being denied. If the young Republic is being driven in any given direction, accepting the principle of safety first is she entirely to blame?
Young men in West China, specially business young men, are now doing what they never did before, namely, taking a lively interest in politics and world events and movements. We have frequently spoken with young merchants, bankers and students, and all seem well informed on the attitude of foreign nations towards the present conflict, The daily press and the nightly radio reports are keenly and widely circulated and intelligent interest is being taken in the deliber rations and discussions indulged in by foreign powers.
"The slogan all over the province is: Shansi is having her turn, it may be ours next. Szechuen is, therefore, with other parts'of West China, preparing to defend herself against attack, Apart from her cruel aggression in the coastal provinces West China has very little grievance with Japan. She has, however, been very carefully warned against this subtle and dangerous aggressor. And with other parts of the Republic Szechuen is anticipating a long and difficult struggle.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.