pherrialia of a "punitive" expedition. Apparently the Hungjao incident did not bring. that armada, although it is being at once used. to stimulate attention to Japanese demands. Whatever efforts may be in the process of development toward a peaceful settlement of the main issue between the two countries, the Chinese authorities can hardly be expected to allow this plain threat to their territory round Shanghai to be offered with out any provision to meet it, despite their de~ sire to avoid conflict in this area.
Critics cannot have it both ways. They cannot ridicule Chinese weakness' oF Chinese disorganization and at the same time object to the naughtiness of the ttle animal which defends itself against attack. Straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel seems to be the congenial occupation of these critics, They seize upon any omis~ sion here or there to justify tearfulness over Chinese ineptitude which they construe as provocation. They are superbly blind to the whole significance of Japan's armed fist and provocative speech, of the specious arguments of Japanese apologists who take the view of the ducal bride that honeymoons fare too good for the lower classes. What in the Japanese is but a choleric word is in the Chinese flat blasphemy. Thus does the "new concept" of equality and economic ce-operation beautifully receive its militarist apotheosis, No doubt diplomatic restraint has not been so tongue-tied as to prevent these considerations from being communicated to the Japanese Government, but it is as well to make them clear in print beeduse, in view of the strenuous efforts of Japanese spokesmen to ft facts to their peculiar theories, some well-meaning observers might be misled and mislead others. If China and Japan unhappily become involved in hostilities without chance of withdrawal it will be an unsatisfying occupation to inveigh against the follies and mistakes of the past. It is all the more necessary now that a plain statement of the general trend of foreign opinion on this subject should be placed on record. It is not pleasant to have thus to criticize the re~ Dresentatives of a great and friendly nation, but the true friend is not he who withholds 'a word of criticism at a time of need. There is another and, perhaps, more urgent cause for' frankness. Japanese attempts to blame the Chinese authorities might be thought by some to be approved if they were not rebutted Shanghai, too, in its justifiable desire to maintain the peace which neutrality demands cannot be exposed to the criticism that its citizens fail to recognize the larger issues now confronting China. The Chinese Government has a right to know that in the travail through which their people are passing and in' the poignant anxlely of the difficulties in deciding upon the course best calculated to safeguard its country's welfare and integrity, it has the generous sympathy of Shanghai and of all who can bring to the study of affairs reasonable intelligence, vision and fidelity to principle.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.