The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1932. CHINA AND JAPAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1932. CHINA AND JAPAN.

According to a message received by cable, the Lytton Commission appointed to investigate the Sino-Japanese dispute, has now completed its labours, though the result of enquiry has not yet been made public. A few months ago, on what seemed the very edge of appalling danger, it was natural to desire a report addressed to the immediate purpose of avoiding it. Events have shown, however, if any at all, that no policy and no settlement, will be of much use unless understanding of thosei “deeper underlying factors’’ determines their substance and form; and the report will have greater value or less as it grasps the problem whole and looks,'to a finlfld solution, or limits it. and temj^rises:. Even superficially the problem is formidable enough. On the one hand China is in a state hard to distinguish from anarchy; on the other hand, Japan has leaped into aggressive and purposful nationhood. Yet, severely practical as her aims are, she would never have made the mistake of beginning, the 'dispute over Manchuria if it had not been for the predominance in national politics of the militarist element. It is equally true that China would never have resisted Japan had not her .present rulers, if they deserve the title, been either voung lawyers with their eyes o 1 Mussolini or veteran war-lords with .their faith fixed on steel. When the dash came there, was little hope that the League eon Id successfully intervene, or rat!carry intervention very far; and the emergence, of the Manchu party, with its project of a quiasiindependent Stafe of JMfanohuria, pro-

duced a. situation' that allowed of as many interpretations as there were people to make them. Now that the Commission has concluded its labours there will be much interest awaiting the publication of its finding, which should have a substantial effect in clarifying public (opinion as to the actual happenings, and the fixing of the' responsibilities therefore, so that effective steps may be taken to safeguard the lights of the interested parties.