Peiping, Apr. 11. THERE is a considerable diversion of opinion among foreign observers as to the degree of success that the Japanese have met with in their plans for the development or exploitation of North China, Some deny that they have met with any success ut all; others contend that they have been remarkably successful. Actually, it is very difficult to give an exact and definite opinion on this question, because firstly so many different factors have to be taken into consider: and secondly conditions vary entirely in different parts of the country.
Reviewing the position, admittedly very summarily and roughly, I think it must be admitted that, as regards exploitation, pure and simple, the Japanese have very considerable gains to (By exploitation I mean the direct confiscation of former the employment of forced labour, the setting up of monopolies and taxation in one form or another). Whereas, in the way of constructive development, i.e. the creation of fresh curees of wealth and industry. they have not been so successful.
Their greatest success in. the way of exploitation has undoubtedly been fy foreing the worthless currency of the Federal Reserve Bank on. the population of north China, Tt has no. Backing whatever is nothing more than the issue by the Japanese Army of wat which they can print Just as many' as they Te-quire. Tt is in fact a definite. war evy on the Chinese population, by: means of which the - conquerors obtain the free service of Chinese about and goods, without having to supply anything in exchange except Tot of worthless paper.
The next item of value are the coal mines of North China, which the Japanese have quite simply con= iiscated, OF these, at present only those at Tatung in northern Shansi are producing In any large quantity—this, however, Is much in excess former production, The coal brought down by the Peking-Sulyusn railway to Tientsin for direct. ship= ent to Japan. The other coat mines n_Shansi are for the moment not table to ship away most of what they produce, partly owing to the geest shortage of freight ears and partly to the disturbed state of the railway Hines: those parts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.