“There are indications to show that China will be able to put up a more effective resistance than in the past. Politically the anti-imperialist front has been developed effectively; the latest demonstration of its genuineness is the news that the Chinese Communists who fought the Nanking Government from 1927 to 1936, are massing their troops against Japan…. If the resistance shown so far can be maintained the dreams of the Japanese may be rudely shaken.”
SEPTEMBER 11, 1937
War in north China
THE NEWS RECEIVED TODAY THAT THE JAPANESE HAVE STARTED a big offensive in North China again is significant. It brings out clearly the fact that Japan’s objective in the present aggressive war is to detach the valuable provinces in North China from the sphere of Nanking’s influence. Japan’s attack on Shanghai was meant to be a diversion, designed to divide Chinese troops in two sections and also to gain time to land more troops in North China to meet the unexpectedly effective resistance of the Chinese. Now that enough troops have poured in the big offensive has started and it is reported that they have already advanced fifty miles from Chahar into the province of Shansi.
Japan’s determination to secure control over the Northern provinces is born out of three very important considerations. Firstly, that area is probably the richest in China, with its plentiful supply of iron and coal. Secondly, Japan considers that the control of those provinces will enable her to win over Outer Mongolia and later Inner Mongolia and thus build up not only a strong buffer state against Soviet Russia but a base from which she will be able to direct operations against her formidable rival. And finally, North China is strategically important for realising Japan’s avowed policy of dominating the whole of China. The first step in this process of subjugation was taken two years ago when Japan was enabled to set up a puppet Political Council for Hopei and Chahar, after a quick and sharp conflict in which the Chinese were overpowered. But the period that followed saw the growth of anti-Japanese elements and Nanking was soon able to recover control. Hence this new move. Japan considers that anti- Japanism must be nipped in the bud by an overwhelming defeat. It is probable that what she contemplates is the formation of more puppet “Political Councils”; direct administration is too much of a responsibility. This idea probably lies behind Mr. Hirota’s speech on September ist. “We are fighting the anti-Japanese movements in China. They exist largely in the Chinese Army and General Chiang Kai-shek is their spearhead. By a fundamental solution of the China question we mean to bring about a state of affairs in which there will be no danger of a repetition of the present circumstances. In North China and in all China, our idea is that Chinese should govern China. We want to see China governed by statesmen who can maintain friendly relations with us”. And for ensuring this “fundamental solution” – which only means a solution that will suit Japanese policy – she is prepared to strain her resources to the uttermost and her Prime Minister states today that in his opinion the conflict will not end this year. Propaganda has done its work and we find that the Japanese nation today is in the grip of that mad and unreasoning patriotic fervour of a nation at war which brooks neither conciliation nor compromise. It is too late to talk in terms of prospects for peace. War must have its toll but the sympathies of all peoples who respect elementary principles of justice and freedom will be with the Chinese people.
There are indications to show that China will be able to put up a more effective resistance than in the past. Politically the antiImperialist front has been developed effectively; the latest demonstration of its genuineness is the news that the Chinese Communists, who fought the Nanking Government from 1927 to 1936, are massing their troops against Japan. Chiang Kai-Shek’s forces are much better trained now than in the past. In this connection it is interesting to note that Mr. Donald, the Australian Adviser to Chiang Kai-shek, thinks highly of China’s capacity to wage a war. The morale of the troops is good; her war record uptodate is very creditable. Pitted against the superior equipment of the Japanese they have fought with heroism, numerous examples of which have been given in the cables in the last few weeks. Surprisingly enough her air force has been very effective and worked havoc on Japanese warships and planes. If the resistance shown so far can be maintained the dreams of the Japanese may be rudely shaken. They have to reckon not only with a brave and determined opponent in the field but with what is fundamentally a rickety financial structure at home.
Reference:
The First 100
A Selection of Editorials, 1878-1978, THE HINDU, VOLUME I