In the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew we are told that in the closing days of earth's history we would "hear of wars and rumors of wars," and that "nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." As the League of Nations reassembled at Geneva, war clouds were gathering for the coming storms that are soon to break out anew in various parts of this sin-sick world.
In this issue of The Ministry we will discuss further the break between China and Japan, a break which Dr. V. K. Wellington Koo, Chinese minister to France, in a recent address before the League of Nations Assembly, said pointed to a major conflict within the next few years in the Far East.
Conflict in Far East Inevitable
The old saying that "no war starts on the day the first shots are fired," is one that applies to the present situation in the Far East. "Whether the piece of track was blown up by the Chinese or Japanese makes little difference. If it had not been blown up, some other incident would have provoked a similar reaction,"1 says George E. Sokolsky in his recent book, "The Tinder Box of Asia."
The Chinese and Japanese, knowing that a clash was inevitable, wondered when it would conic. The stage was set, and only a spark was needed to set things on fire. To those acquainted with the political situation in Manchuria, the explosion of September 18, 1931, was no surprise. To them Manchuria was a keg of dynamite which might explode at any time. The world powers, having drawn up a series of peace treaties, such as the Nine Power Pact, the Pact of Paris, and the League Covenant, believed the peace of the world was secure. When the explosion occurred, it startled the world. Statesmen feared the conflict would spread, and result in another world war.
Just what are the causes for the break between China and Japan, a break which has resulted in the seizure of vast territories, the mobilization and marching of thousands of troops, and the killing of an almost innumerable number of people?
The present troubles, misunderstandings, and difficulties between the two nations had their origin at the Peace Conference of Shiminoseki, which ended the first Sino-Japanese conflict of 1894-95. At that conference the southern part of Manchuria, called 'the Liaotung Peninsula, was ceded to Japan by China. Within fifteen days after the treaty was signed, Russia, supported by Germany and France, advised Japan to return this territory to China. The warships of these Western powers were gathering in Japanese waters, and Japan was in no position to face this new danger. She had no alternative but to accept the advice of these powers and gracefully to return this newly acquired territory to China.
When, three years later, Russia appropriated this same territory for her own use, the Japanese people were outraged and greatly humiliated. Many considered this a national disgrace and committed suicide, calling upon posterity to right the wrong. This act of Russia caused the Japanese to prepare for the conflict with Russia, which now seemed inevitable. Japan resolved to regain the coveted prize of the Orient.
"It was that stretching of the paw of the bear out over Manchuria that awakened Japan to the region's value. In the beginning, Japan's interest and apprehension were political. Russia in possession of Port Arthur seemed to Tokio to be pointing the spearhead of czarist ambition straight at the heart of the island empire. It was to avert this threat, and to place a buffer state between herself and the empire of the czars, that Japan went to war in 1904. That war was fought, not on Russian territory nor on Japanese, but where the ambitions and apprehensions of the two powers clashed, in Manchuria.",,
"This war, upon which she staked everything, cost her over 100,000 lives and nearly a billion dollars. She invested another billion in the building of railways and in the economic development of Manchuria. After all its cost in blood and treasure, this region became to Japan a combined Monroe Doctrine, Panama Canal, and battlefield of Gettysburg."3
The Japanese Viewpoint
Since she has twice been victorious on the field of battle, and has twice sacrificed thousands of lives on the plains of Manchuria, Japan, having invested millions of dollars in the development of the country, feels that she is entitled to Manchuria.
K. K. Kawakami, Washington correspondent of the Tokio Ho Chi Shimbun, has presented Japan's case clearly and forcefully in "Japan Speaks on the Sino-Japanese Crisis." This book has an introductory chapter by Tsuyoshi Inukai, prime minister of Japan. It gives an excellent background of the present situation, shows that Manchuria is the real issue, and has appended a series of important diplomatic notes, official documents, resolutions, and statements pertaining to the present crisis. If the Japanese view is desired, this book gives the reader an excellent presentation. The book was published in March, 1932, by the Macmillan Company of New York.
The Chinese Viewpoint
To the Chinese, Manchuria is absolutely essential to China's security. W. W. Yen, minister of China to the United States, says:
"Whoever holds South Manchuria is the master of North China. Strategically, South Manchuria commands a dominating position over the great plains of Central Asia, and it is well-nigh impossible to defend these plains against powerful attacks from the northeast. If Manchuria is spoken of as the first line of defense of Japan, what about China? Where is China's first line of defense and where is China's second line of defense?"4
Manchuria has been a city of refuge for millions of hungry peasants from North China. The plains of Manchuria have assumed just as great a significance to these desperate peasants from North China as did the great Western prairies to the early land-hungry homesteaders of the United States. Due to the many famines, floods, marauding soldiers, and national calamities, on an average one million peasants a year, during the past fifteen years, have migrated to the promised land of Manchuria. Ninety-five per cent of the thirty-odd millions residing in Manchuria today are Chinese. The language of the people is Chinese. The powers have also recognized Manchuria as belonging to, and part of, the republic of China.
"In May, 1928, Mr. Frank B. Kellogg, as American Secretary of State, announced: 'As far as the United States is concerned, Manchuria is essentially Chinese soil.' Less than two months later the British secretary for foreign affairs, Sir Austen Chamberlain, told the House of Commons that Great Britain considered Manchuria a part of China, and recognized no special Japanese interests there except those which had been approved by the Washington conference."'
So long as Marshal Chang Tso-Lin lined up with the Japanese in the development of Manchuria, everything went smoothly. But when he openly opposed the wishes of the Japanese, increased his standing army to 150,000, built the world's largest arsenal, equipped his troops with modern weapons, and built a network of railways running parallel to the Japanese lines and in competition with their lines, trouble began. This spirit of independence and freedom of action on the part of the Chinese in Manchuria has increased in strength. With the Nationalist party in control, the situation became more and more critical.
The Chinese maintain that the Japanese rights in Manchuria were obtained under duress in 1915, and therefore have no validity. The Chinese viewpoint has been ably presented by Chih Meng in "China Speaks on the Conflict Between China and Japan." Mr. Chih Meng is associate director of the China Institute in America. The text includes two introductory chapters—one by W. W. Yen, minister to the United States, and another by W. W. Willoughby, professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University. The book gives an excellent background of the conflict, its causes, and its significance. It has appended to it the text of the Nine Power Pact, the Pact of Paris, the League Covenant, and Summary of Reports of the League of Nations meetings. It was published in April, 1932, by Macmillan. If the Chinese view is desired, this book will give this information.
Conflict Inevitable
Both sides have presented arguments as to why they are entitled to Manchuria. Japan in presenting her case against China has listed some three hundred points. China has accused Japan of blindly pursuing her own interests. Every incident which occurred helped to inflame the minds of the populace. Gradually an organized propaganda was set afoot against the common enemy. Each incident became more serious. Feelings were aroused; riots increased in frequency. When the explosion occurred on September 18, 1931, both sides were prepared mentally for the break which had long been expected.
The stage was set. The Western powers were engaged in solving their own domestic problems. Japan, feeling the hour had come to settle some outstanding questions with China, struck hard and fast. China, unprepared to meet Japan on the field of battle, and firmly in-trenched behind the Nine Power Pact, the Pact of Paris, and the League Covenant, felt confident the Western powers would not allow Japan to seize Manchuria.
Was China correct? Did the League support her? Has the Nine Power Pact or the Pact of Paris been violated? And what is the possible outcome of the present crisis in the Far East? These are a few of the questions which will be taken up in our next study, which will conclude this series.
As workers in this cause, it is not our purpose to take sides in any political issues that may arise between nations. It behooves us, however, to keep in touch with current events, and to think seriously of the days in which we are living. Surely we are living in the last days, and should we not plead with the Lord to hold back these winds of strife that are gathering for the last great battle, until this work is finished?
Shanghai, China.
1 "The Tinder Box of Asia" (1932), by George E. Sokolsky, p. 188. Doubleday. Doran & Co.
2 "Storm Over Asia" (1932), by Paul Hutchinson, p. 3 "The 13. Henry fIolt & Co.
3 The World's Danger Zone" (1932), by Sherwood Eddy, g. 39. Farrar and Rinehart.
4 "China Speaks" (1932), by Chih Meng, p. VI of the introduction. The Macmillan Company.
"Storm Over Asia" (1932), p. 175,
