It is just os well that Mr. Chamberlain made plain in the House of Commons that it was. useless to offer to mediate until both sides had shown willingness to accept, and that there is no Indication at present that such is likely. the immediate future. Only. yesterday. this Journal pointed out that the temper of China is Such that it would refuse to deal with the Japanese in connection with a restoration of peace, not only because of the manner in which her national spirit has been outraged by Japanese actions, but also because the hostilities up fo the present have followed lines ant bby the Chinese command and its advisers. On the other hand the Japanese persistently aver that they will not deal with Chiang Kai-shek in riy event, so that it is dificult to see how any intermediary could be of service to either of the opponents. Admiral Suetsugu is reported to be looking forward to an carly collapse of the Chiang regime. That is unlikely, s0 long the conviction remains in the minds of the Chinese that, though they may suffer reverses in the field, they' may win the war merely by the fact of dragging it out. That theory has not yet been tested to the full, and unfit Chiang Kal-shek's supporters are convinced that it. wrong—and this journal does not for one moment suggest that it i—they will continue to follow hhis leadership. Reuter's diplomatic correspond. ent is probably correct in thinking that both sides are capable of carrying on fora long time without seriously cracking up on either the military or economic side, and 0 Tong 35 this is so the hostilities are likely to continue, The whole business may look like a game of begearmy-neighbour as it undoubtedly is, but which can stand the process longer is the one which will win, Nevertheless the more it is prolonged the greater will be the damage to both, and it, is impossible to avoid the conclusion that much of the harm which -has already been done irremediable, and that both are weakening each other in a manner which may have tragic effects on the future of this portion of Asia.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.