The mercantile role of the Japanese army In China as described in this Journal on Monday, 1s an enlightening illustration of Japanese policy in this country and reinforces, in a very definite manner, the idea and intention of an army of occupation. No matter what ix the outcome of the hostilities it 1s Japan's frm determination to remain in China and hold the territory her forces have occupied, and the economic arrangements for achieving a form of independence from the home country in regard. to supplies 1s a measure to ensure the permanence of such a decision. A historic parallel could be drawn from the Roman occupation of Britain when, in a way similar to the Japanese scheme, the army lived on the country of occupation and was able 10 send back to Rome goods and materials necessary for that nation's prosperity. The ability to do this depended on the efficiency and supremacy of the army of occupation bul after 400 years these factors disappeared and 0 did the Roman army of occupation. In th case of China, Japan enjoys the advantage an economic system which does not accumula! supplies for personal luxury but turns them into exportable products which strengthens. the country's ancial position against the drain exercised by an expensive war, thereby prolan) ing and strengthening the ability to prosecute As the past year or so has revealed, Japanese operations in China have not been conducted on a basis of purely military conquest have been linked economic policy which the mili system, it Is possible it only to obtain supplies for the army of occupation but also to develop essential industries and resources capable of producing an exportable surplus for Japan. Answering interpellations in the Diet, Lieut. Gen, Iagakl, the War Minister, revented the potentialities' of such a form of conquest and intermingled with remarks on military administration were conerete economic refer ces 10 be expected from the Minister of Commerce and Industey rather than from the army's chief administration, A" system. of regional sclt= suMfciency is being encouraged and a progressive programme of army purchases, in definite competition with Third Power commercial activities, fs being undertaken, And, the War Mi added, military transport ing
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.