The line of thought by which these conclusions are reached by a Japanese leader of Mr. Fujthara's promin-fence and experience is well worth following in his address which (in ran station) was as follows:
The Government and people of the Japanese Empire are presently occupied in the momentous work of establishing a new order in East Asia this work the reconstruction China is of supreme and urgent im-
The British Prime Minister, Mi. Chamberlain, recently stated in effect, in the House of Commons in London, that when the war ili China is over tand the reconstruction of that country bowing, the capital that will be required cannot be supplied by Japan alone and the work cannot be done without financial assistance from Great Britain.
Now T want to inquire into when ther It will really be impossible for Japan to achieve the reconstruction fof China without kowtowing to the British and supplicating their money.
A good many people in America and Europe seem to cherish the idea that while Japan may be strong] enough in fighting, her economic structure Is not sound because she thas few natural resources. These people seem to think that the way to merce Jupan is to stant an economic war against her, Tt is only a few years ayo that these same people were announcing that Japan would strain herself seriously by undertaking single-hand-4 to develop the then newly-founded Slate of Manchoukuo. Evidently a Similar notion now prevails abroad Japan's present conflict in China.
Foreign Reasoning may be natural for Europeans and Americans to follow this line of thought. The main reason for the obstinate prolongation of hostilities, which Gen, Chiang Kai-shek has not yet abandoned, is the acceptance of {hig pellet which is still "held by Europeans and Americans. The Chinese leader apparently thinks that the longer his regime resists Japan, the weaker Japan will become eco-nominally, and that eventually Japan. can. be crushed.
Mr. Chamberlain's statement in the House of Commons may have been. intended for home consumption. Also, however, it may be regarded as representing the idea generally: held abroad that Japan can do little without borrowing money from Britain or the United States.
[Europe or America.
Taiwan's yearly total of exports Jand imports was valued at ¥.20,000,000 Jat the time of its cession to Japan. Tu 1935, 39 years later, this total had risen to ¥.610,000,000 an increase of 3000 per cent. Production showed Jan Increase of 450 per cent, during] 24 years, the 1912 and 1996 values having been ¥.160,000,000 and ¥.708,- 000,000 respectively.
When Japan annexed Chosen, the total value of the peninsula's foreign, {trade "was ¥.68,000,000. Twenty-five years later, in 1935, this had increased 2000 per cent. to ¥.1,490,000,000. JAn increase of 600 per "cent. was shown during the 26-year period between 1910 and 1936, the respective values having been Yen 270,000,000 "¥.2320,000,000.
Dominion Records This record may be compared with those of three British dominions. [Canada's total production in 1920 was valued "at $6,390,000,000, which de-Jereased during fifteen years $4,300,000,000, a drop of 30 per cent. In 1011, Australia's aggregate pro duction was valued at £175,000,000, Which rose by 230 per cent. during 25' years 10 £400,000,000 in 1995, Tu New Zealand in 1900 production. was valued at £340,000,000, which during 36 years increased about 300 per cent. to '£1,140,000,000 in 1990.
The British Eimpire is proud of its fananeial resources. If the work of development is accomplished by. feapital alone, these three dominions} should have shown far better results Japan's Mnanelal resources are much Tess, but the Aqures T have quoted show that richer countries have: accomplished less. We might wonder if development has not been. arrested in some of those countries. We might also wonder if the richer British' people are really a match for the more hard-working Japanese.
For those Westerners who trust money alone it may be natural to] imagine tha; poor Japan will find! the work of reconstructing China beyond her resources. But I believe} that in such great work the human element counts for more than money.
Fundamentally Woo Some of our, own Japanese, to0, have the idea that mosey' is the frst jessontial in starting an enterprise. This notion is wrong fundamentally, for it is always human ability and effort, not money, that brings real success In any enterprise. If there) man, fare able men, determined to give Japan Proper. their uimast "efforts, the necessary" funds will be found' somehow. This Japplies to all Japan's enterprises, in China as well as elsewhere.
If hereafter we were to handle China's financial affairs on the basis of the conventional formulas in vogue in Britain and America, as well in Japan, the work of' China's re-Jconstruction might indeed have to depend on foreign capital, as Mr. Chamberlain said.
Though I lived and did business in Shanghai and Hankow some years ago, T do not pretend to have any deep knowledge of the China of today. But it Is axiomatic that China is peculiar country, where the usual
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.