The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1916. JAPAN AND CHINA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 9 May 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1916. JAPAN AND CHINA.

Though actually far from the war zone China is having a by no means goocf time just now, and internal troubles are' , keeping her people busy. Yuan Shih-j I'Kai is not finding his path a very plea-, sant one, for though China, under his doubtful rule has to all intents and purpose's reverted to a monarchy, so-! (called President Yuan has- not pro-. claimed himself Emperor. The most 'important aspect of the situation is. I however, that Japan; after sardonically i watching her big and unweildy neighbour's sad flounderings and the despoiling of China by one and another j (of the foreign Powers now demands the right of guardianship and reasserts 1 the demands made a year ago in tne I notorious "Group Five," which at the, [time China, with the friendly aid of [Great Britain, declined 10 accede to.j i Japan feels that she should be re-, (warded for driving the Germans iiouij iTsingtao and despite British objections, is again pressing her demands., ! These if conceded, would complete the work of subjugation begun in, i January, 1015. Compliance would! | mean the employment of Japanese sdIvisors in every governmental department of China; the pledge that Unna I purchase her war supplies from Japan ; (the employment of Japanese as uivcc-| itors of police in the large centres, and the construction of Japanese railroaUs in China. Japan has certainly lifer taken Yuan's aspirations seriously and, ' mockingly regards China as merely die Great Shadow, while Japan is the real; I Rising-Sun. !

GERMANY DESPERATE. The resumption of the violent attacks on Verdun are further indication that Germany is desperately insistent on the necessity for an early decision. M Galiriele Hanotaux quotes a report that General von Deluding told the loth German Corps that the assault on Verdun was to he the last offensive against the French. "True or untrue," he says, "the assertion expresses an exact verity. Germany has arrived at that point where she is bound to make up her mind to use

her remaining resources. I learn from the most reliable source that during the last visit of the King of Saxony to his troops the officers surrounded him and told him the war must be quickly finished and that thd soldiers would be unable to undertake a new campaign. The King of Saxony reported to the Kaiser the pressure which his own troops were bringing to bear upon him. The confederate States were/beginning to got restless. Therefore the Kaiser; ordered an offensive on the French front, It is noteworthy that the troops who made the greatest sacrifices at Verdun were Prussians, Pomeranians, Silosian and Rhenish soldier's fell by, thousands. The Prussians are naturaliv the supreme champions of Prussian militarism. Verdun has capital importance when regarded from the viewpoint of the whole situation. Every hour, every minute, decides the result of this last." desperate gambler's blow. The Kaiser stands'involved, not only before history but before his own people. He continues to load ills people to butchery To save himself he orders a supreme massacre. But the hour has struck. Verdun brings no luck to the Prussian dynasty. To von Diemlmg s alleged assertion that this is the last offensive, 1 will add the statement recently made to me by one of our greatest leaders: 'lt is better so. Letthem attack. We are ready for them.