MORE CHINESE VICTORIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1939, Page 4

MORE CHINESE VICTORIES.

some allowance perhaps should be made for exaggerated reports from either side, there does not seem to be any doubt that the Chinese are showing an increased initiative and enterprise against the -Japanese invaders,of their territory. Prom the outset of the undeclared war which is now in its third year. Hie Chinese have made valiant defensive efforts, but now they are doing more than that. The -Japanese have no longer a monopoly of air raiding and have suffered some definite defeats, notably in their recent drive on Changsha. Further successes are now claimed by the Chinese in the northern part of Kiangsi Province.

Whatever the actual military position may be, it would be wonderful indeed if the Japanese were not feeling severely Ihe strain of maintaining a huge army in China and controlling a vast extent of occupied territory, while at the same time they are unable to prevent the Chinese National Government reorganising and building up its military and industrial strength in areas bevond Ihe reach of attack.

On top of the new problems that have been created for Japan by the collapse of the Anti-Comintern Paet, her economic position has been affected very seriously by Hie outbreak of Hie European war. As a nation at peace. -Japan might have profited by the conflict raging on the other side of the world. Im! in her actual circumstances it is becoming progressively more difficult for her either to obtain the military materials she needs or Io muster the means of paying for them. She is faced also by serious shipping problems. Japan’s prospects of terminating “the (’hina affair” to her own satisfaction definitely are not improving. It has been said, probably with truth, that lime is running against Japan in this adventure and that peace, wit li or without the signal victory she has declared herself determined to win, may soon be necessary. The facts of the military and economic situation impart added point and significance to Hie plain speaking by the American Ambassador in Tokio which is reported today, and Io the further news regarding the visit of a Soviet military mission to (’lningking and rumours of an impending alliance between Russia and China.