Jan, 3.
'The New Year's Day messages of the Japanese Premier, Prince Konoye, the Fereign Minister, Mr. Koki Hirota,' the War Minister, Gen Sugiyat.a, and the Navy 'Minister, Admiral Yonai,' make interesting reading." Each approaches the Sino-Japanese hostilities from the particular point of view of his own department and their pronouncements give a very clear picture of the policy of Tokyo, its hapes and its fears. Prince Konoye's message is remarkably important because. of the implications it conveys. Following the fall of Nanking, he is reported as saying, the National Government of China has become "a weapon in the hands of the Communist Party, a destructive organization." One of the reasons given for the present hostilities was Japan's desire to save China from communism. The Chinese Government denied that it leant towards that doctrine, and that denial was emphasized by the readiness with which the Chinese Communist forces, ceased their rebellion against the government, and, at any rate for the duration of the hostilities, submerged themselves in the armies of the nation. A common danger brought about a unity of purpose in which Nanking made no concession to the rebels, but received their assistance against the enemy. Prince Konoye now claims. that since the fall of Nanking a state of affairs has been brought about, which it was the desire of the Japanese government to prevent. The Chinese will naturally deny that this has happened ahd that there has been no change in the political complexion of their government, and, on the facts, it would seem that this contention is'correct. But if it is not, on whom does the responsibility rest? This] Journal has pointed out consistently that Japanese action. is likely to throw China directly into the arms of Moscow." Tt has not yet occurred, but, if that is the final result, Japan will have "only herself to blame. Nations it desperation are apt to turn to any other country which will render them assistance, postponing the counting of the cost. until more peaceful times. China has been obliged to turn to Russia for material help, which has now apparenty been afforded, but! it is not yet true that in return it' has abandoned the principles upon which its gov-'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.