To the Editor of the "Norru-Cumva Day News"
Sm—The motive" which prompted the "Japanese censors illegally to destroy all copies of the August number of the "Reader's Digest" reaching Shanghai through the mails undoubtedly to deny publicity to a feendensation of an article by Pearl 'S. Buck, entitled "Japan Loses The War? which this particular issue contains.
This article originally appeared {in the "Red Book" and has, 1 believe, already been reproduced in its complete form by one of your local con temporaries.
Mrs, Buck holds the view that when' the Japanese commenced the present "unpleasantness" last year, were certain that only a very short period of time would be required wherein to crush China completely; whereas the show has now been in progress for a year, with the prospect of a successful conclusion daily receding further from Japan's grasp. The author proceeds to de-Sseribe early Chinese realization of the fact that Japanese invincibility ras proved to be a myth—states that the productivity of this land and the fecundity of its people cannot be points out that [Jepanese control of Chinese territory extends no further than the railway lines and most of the principal towns. The unification of the Chinese people, as a result of Japanese aggression, and their unconquerable resilifeeney in the face of adversity, are stressed, and the steady movement finland of industries and educational cgtablishments is cited as an additional factor eventually contributing to. China's success.
Mrs. Buck also describes the irritating nature of the guerilla, tactics with which the Japanese now have to contend, and finally winds up with a prediction that the war will terminate in a compromise more favourable to China than to Japan. She expects the Japanese to seize "this with avidity, and that Japan will be compelled to withdraw fall her forces from China, with the possible relinquishment of Korea and Formosa as well. After this, Japan [will lose her standing as a first-class power; while China will arise, phoenix-like, from the ashes.with renewed confidence and unity, and with her natural resources developing to her own advantage. In short, the whole thing is eventually prove a blessing in disguise for China. somewhat over-optimistic pic ture perhaps, but we can at least hope that the' gifted lady is in some measure correct If, however, the recent utterances of the Japanese [Premier are to be relied upon, much water will move up and down the Whangpoo before the present most deplorable state of affairs ameliorated, and justice emerges triumphant over aggression, brutality, falsehood and discrimination.
Gyx.
Shanghai, Sept. 22.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.