The boycott weapon has never had' this journal's support, any more than the ideà of imposing sanctions. Therefore the growth of a movement in Great Britain in favour of boycotting Japanese goods is regretted, since"such a weapon is double-edged and in the long rum ineffective in respect of its declared object. Nevertheless Japanese observers will not be wise to ascribe the demands for that boycott to the influence of Chinese appeals. The plain recording of the facts of recent bombings of open cities in China has been the direct inspiration. of the indignation now finding expression in various parts of Europe. Nor is it enough for Japanese spokesmen to point to the/correctness of the orders given to their fighting men. The discipline of Japanese airmen and soldier: is not in doubt, but that makes the ground for criticism of certain bombings all the stronger, In deploring the threat of boycott—despite the fact that it will receive no official countenance and will probably remain a threat—it is necessary to add that the sentiment which prompts it represents the considered view of the large majority of world opinion. That is a serious matter which Japan would be wronging herself to dismiss by airy tu quo ques or dissertations on Chinese propaganda.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.