Apr.
So far as can be judged, aglual military operations in the Worth are ina state of suspense. Neither side is anxious to at Leniyt_any movement likely. to) westend the area of conflict, UZeneral Chiang Kai-shek must AS2 well aware of the impos: Wlity of any serious effort to rative Jehol. The Japanese (Leneval Staff are probably satis-|™ Wald with the clearance to the Wall, Only under. the pweesuxe of some really dang. Sys Chinese stroke are they wax nected to make further en-couch ments on Chinese terri: {erry for the moment at all vsrents. This state of semi-peace #ul semi-war is dangerous, Mr, A Thoshi has possibly. correctly! Y2ed_up the position by declariysg that the tine is not ripe for Peotiatios. Certainly that is title If Tokyo holds to the view taal abject. compliance with whatever conditions Japan may Teel disposed to specify is Vected of China. Mr, Wang (Ching-wei's statement published terday in these columns, CQurtesy of his official organ, Nhe People's. Tribune." can Interpreted as an endorsement the Japanese Minister's inion. At the same time, when tyac natural lamboyance of Mr. Wane Ching-wei's appeal is geoverly discounted, there Zita clear hint of his recogni-on of the practical need for! vexotiation rather than imme-fate military defiance of Japan. tow far Mr, Wang Chingwei's decision to resume office has resulted in a closing of the (fovernment's ranks. which in the IZ, st few weeks had become pereeptbly ragged, remains to be Kaen. A promising: side {Pre formal approval of pla ter associating non-Kuomintang, ialiticians with the Government, Vy inlomatic contact "with iZ. Imperative but it would tyrolish to ignore the difficulty of vgeoneiling an ill-instructed Tpblic opinion to that view Vgfence the Government at Nan: AMgng, especially with the know VAee of the out puted hostili Canton," must proceed.
Is. This condition ix com:
ted by a marked recrudes. VZnee of communist activity. in Wiaesi and Mupeb. In the 1S; fter province General Ho Lune reported to, have returned though he has not been able to touch his old haunts. Ju Sze Cfauen, domestic rivalries prevent {Bective action in section of Yy2e communists who have gained footing in the North. of that When Mr. Matsuoka tells Ney ork that Japan's action foteeting from. com: Leaunism ind political disunity, flagrantly misstates the posi Con. The recent pre-oecup-{fons of General Chiang Kai \Jpek in the North—due of course events in Jehol—have comoid. CGl with a marked. recovery Cprmunist morale. In other \Zoris the communist situation gaally demands the mme's personal attention is difficult to see how he neglect the call which the tZreign invasion necetarily awakes on his lea ders Nor Jogical or fair to dismiss zpis complex problem with a LBntemptuous "reference to ese disunity and lack of Cflicient military resources. TAs deen pointed out that the Ufeence of the Washington SZaeaty lay in the sixnators Wewers" joint realisation of the ipgherent—disorga' of Chin ch made the sloption common policy of vigilant prince an appropria Dfipan's decision to brea 1 Zanks may have alli the {Zon claimed for it. by Tokyo and qpenicd by Geneva. Ils accent of Chi internal, jes) can cer nat Although the grip of policy is as tenacious as ever, the General Staff on possible to believe that, for tae moment, the soldiers' are content. They may consider the task of consolidation—more lursrent than that of extending! their territorial responsibilities. This gives an opportunity to -lthose who discern the importance ending, in some form or other, the present state of uncertainty.
na firm decision against anything more than pas:
sistance cannot prevent, on} 's part, the adoption of ares which, although purely Jeonscquential in themselves, may impel further Japanese military action. Another stage—_of deterioration may thus be begun, to the grave unsettlement of the already distracted North. This for close attention ape Tt also throws on the hi iese_ government, for which Wang Ching-wei is now again speaking, definite resjonsi-
To rhetorical pronouncements were unwise to attach much importance. Their danger lies, however, in the tendency to lsusegeest, that they are adequate Janswers to the march of events, The Chinese Government has taken note of Geneva's decision. Ir realises that the Coneilia Committee cannot get under way] with any expedition. No doubt has also made note of ite riyeht to ask its associated Gov. lornments in the League what course it had better follow. as now situated, Mr. Eugene Chen has lately taken the trouble to pronounce on the duty of an individual Power. It might be Imore fitting for China to obtain irom the Powers clear advice as to her own duty. Unmistakably have the principal members of the League—and the United States of America—indicated their conviction that the cause of world-peace is best served by' their keeping clear of warlike! entanglements in the Far East, That does not imply disrezani of their responsibilities. "The signatories of the Washington Treaty for example, have vet to consider formally the effect of recent events on their own position and their relations with all The of the La ure, may have to be the of purpose that problem to. the the meantime China Jcanniot do better than prescribe for her own malady, after taking consultation with—her friends. The heavy strain thrown upon her administra the severance and the enhanced aloofness of Canton requires! urge The League may effectively counter either blow directly: fan, however, reasonably endenour, if $0 desire hina. to agsixtance ¢ improve.
the economic resources of the limited but actually large areas under Nanking's control. In this enterprise, looking head, Japan's seood offices. may eventually be enlisted. despite her withdrawal from' the Thus, while designed diately to compass m internal reform, embody emphasise China's defiance of Japan in the milit sense, so lone is it impossible! for a to find support. for measures of rehabilitation. If formal negotiation ith Japan in settlement of major issues ix impossible—and reasons are recognised as being not without weight—it is within the power of the two! taking: stock of calixing. the both in its unchecked to abandon and set_ dogmas agree to] suspension of has out specific discussion of controversial issues smaller scale this was last Shanghi Can attempted on more ex? "Let China and Japan all ita peace" and perhaps the mere invocation may. in due! course, Produce the reality
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.