Any statement from General Hata, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces on the subject of the present hostilities, and the questions which arise from them will be read with interest, The interview which he gave to Reuter's special correspondent is consequently of importance, though it must be confessed that he said in reality very little that has not been said at one time or another by Japanese leaders during the past fifteen months. It makes no particular contribution io the consideration of the many problems which foreign neutrals are facing and gives no real hope that they will be solved at an early date. Nevertheless, a re-statement of the intentions of the Japanese high command at this juncture is useful, even if it merely shows that little or nothing is being dóne to alleviate foreign anxieties in connection with certain developments. General Hata claims that all measures taken by the forces under his command were adopted because of military necessity. He also expresses the belief that their revision will be considered as soon as a real relaxation in conditions takes place. He also reiterates the well-known phrase:—"As a matter of principle we intend to respect scrupulously the rights and interests of third party Powers; those interfered with will be gradually restored." The penultimate word of that sentence will be noticed with much cynicism, for the restoration of those foreign interests, which have been interfered with, is at the present moment proceeding at an absolutely imperceptible speed. It may be possible that the idea of gradualness is intended to indicate some degree of acceleration, and in that there may be some slight hope that something will eventually be done to which foreign neutrals are at present labouring, rectify the very definite inconveniences under not only in Shanghai but in practically all areas which are now under Japanese domination. It will be readily admitted that some of the limitations imposed upon third party nationals were originally dictated by military necessity, but it cannot be believed that that necessity still exists, and has not in fact disappeared a very long time ago.
The list of points in this connection put to General Hata by Reuter's representative does not include all that could be cited. Here in Shanghai and its environs there is a continuing interference with the rights which it has been promised should be scrupulously respected. To it might be added the very important item of the omission by the Japanese to permit the recommencement of conserving the Whangpoo, and a number of other matters. The focis are that though the fighting has been removed from Shanghai for almost a year little real effort has been made by the Japanese to re-establish conditions which were so much upset by the outbreak of fighting in this area. It is apparent that the question of righting original wrongs is in some cases being held up for the purpose of extracting concessions of one sort or another, and the matter of restitution is being made a bargaining point. General Hata is quite correct in his contention that some grievances arise from lack of appreciation of conditions prevailing in the zone of hostilities. That zone is now removed far away from Shanghai, but in this locality no such lack of appreciation can possibly exist in view of the very patent testimony which is daily before the community's eyes. It remembers all the assurances which have been given, and fails to understand why so little has been done by the responsible Japanese to fulfil the undertaking which they have given. -It realizes quite well that there is no military necessity for the suspension of the dredging of the harbour, or the failure to return the Hongkew and Yangtszepoo districts completely to the jurisdiction of the Shanghai Municipal Council. The latter is apparently being held in an endeavour to obtain from the authorities of the International Settlement concessions which can only be lawfully made by the many Powers interested in its maintenance. It must be always remembered that the constitution of the International Settlement is a matter of international concern, and not something which the Municipal Council could or should be constrained to deal with.
The return of foreigners to their stations in the interior is another outstanding example, as is also the failure to reopen the Yangtze to Third-Power navigation. So far as the Japanese trader is concerned he has returned to his old post on the heels of the Japanese armies. Preparations have been afoot for some time past for Japanese busi-newsmen to return to Hankow with all despatch after its capture, some concerns having already purchased the usual office equipment to replace that which has probably been taken away by the Chinese. Foreign neutrals have not found it so easy to get back to their stations, and the fact that the Japanese do, must of necessity carry the conviction that the military authorities are discriminating against other nationals, and in that way continuing to prejudice those Foreign interests which it has been so often promised should be scrupulously respected. Reports from north China indicate that the) same processes of obstruction of and discrimination against third party nationals are being followed. There is there, for example, [no conceivable military necessity dictating the prohibition of the export of wool, virtually creating a monopoly for the Japanese. In this respect not only are foreign interests not being scrupulously respected, but are actually in the process of destruction. It is for reasons such as the foregoing that there is not much consolation io be found in the fresh assurances which General Hata has given. They indicate no early approach to the removal of the unnecessary restrictions placed upon. foreign neutrals, and merely serve again to emphasize ihe wide variance which exists between Japanese undertakings in this matter and the manner of their fulfilment. The bona fides of the authorities responsible are being tested by the prevalence of these unfortunate conditions, for it must be quite evident that a continuation of them constitutes just as much a breach of those assurances, as Was the original ect of interference.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.