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Show What Japan Has Done It might be a good idea for us to understand something of the nature of the opposition that has arisen to the course of Japan in the Fti East. In the beginning it ' is well to admit that the Japanese have just cause for complaint as to conditions condi-tions in Manchuria. Because of the lack of central authority in China for some year, many nations have been embarrassed, and it is true that Japan has felt this more than others. Having admitted this let us point out that the procedure of Japan in her effort to uphold her rights has given offense to par-tically par-tically every nation and her uncalled un-called for military opera tions, based upon the flimsiest pretext of self-defense, have aroused a suspicion sus-picion in the minds of those who fear what her unbridled militarism militar-ism may do. The -manner in which this suspicion sus-picion has been engendered becomes be-comes quite clear when one recalls re-calls that the Japanese began their operations in Manchuria on the ground that military precautions precau-tions were necessary outside the Southern Manchurian railway zone which was guarded by Japanese troops. The occupation of Mukden, Changchun and Tungyingkow was effected and Chinese troops dispersed dis-persed or disarmed. Subsequently, the Japanese explained that withdrawal with-drawal of the Japanese troops to within the zone "was being carried car-ried out," and that the Japanese government had no territorial designs de-signs in Manchuria. However, shortly afterwards, Chinchkow, where the Manchurian Manchur-ian government had retreated after af-ter leaving Mukden, was subjected to an aerial bombardment and the Japanese then declared that it was not "possible to fix a definite date" for the withdrawal of its soldiers. Subsequently, the Japanese Japan-ese military operations were extended ex-tended under the pretext of repairing re-pairing certain bridges, leading to an engagement with Chinese forces forc-es and the Japanese troops beyond the Chinese Eastern railway, taking tak-ing Angangskie end Tsitsihar. Meanwhile, some form of administrative ad-ministrative government was being formed in Mukden where Japanese Japan-ese advisors were rapidly installed even though the government stated stat-ed that formation by the Chinese of bodies . responsible for order would make "much easier the rapid ra-pid withdrawal of troops," which was desired by the Japanese government. gov-ernment. Later, however, Japanese operations were extended and Chinchow was occupied and Japanese Jap-anese troops pushed southward through the Great Wall, with the result that Chinese constituted authority was - wiped out in Manchuria. Man-churia. Then followed the expedition against Shanghai, from which the Japanese finally withdrew after heavy fighting. At the same time, guerilla warfare continued over a large part of Manchuria, where Harbin was occupied and a little later the "Independent State" oi Manchukuo was set up. Thereafter, the Japanese entered into a treaty with Manchukuo under un-der which Japanese troops were stationed in the new state to protect pro-tect its safety and existence. Now, the world is witnessing operations in Jehol, justified by this provision and the Japanese have notified other powers that it may be necessary neces-sary for them to occupy Peiping and Tientsin in North China in order to do away with a menace to Manchukuo. The manner in which Japanese have extended and justified then-successive then-successive seizures of territory is the basis of the distrust against them. No government knows just where the Japanese grasp will ex tend nor can they reply on her statements as to military intentions. inten-tions. Apparently, operations designed de-signed to keep the peace in the railway zone in Manchuria have led to a progressive occupation of much Chinese territory and the gradual unfolding of a purpose and design to make the seizure permanent. |