WAR IN CHINA: Victorians

Japan under Emperor Hirohito has much in common with England under Queen Victoria. Last week every Japanese read with pride a state-of-the-nation speech delivered to the 73rd session of the Imperial Parliament by Foreign Minister Koki Hirota. It might have been Lord Palmerston speaking, it might have been years ago, but it was actually Mr. Hirota voicing the aspirations of Japan in terms as serene as those used by Queen Victoria’s ministers to express their gratification at the progress of Imperialism.

A confident imperialist feels he is a big man with friends and allies, and Mr. Hirota dwelt upon how “Italy, understanding our true motives, has collaborated with us along all lines.” As Disraeli might have referred to the voyages of the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), he announced: “I am glad to say that Japan and Germany have been brought closer together than ever by such auspicious events as the visit of His Imperial Highness Prince Chichibu, who was pleased to make a tour of that country.”

This broad Victorian background on the state-of-the-nation and the world gave the part of the speech which Mr. Hirota devoted to China its special weight. Victorians had their devils, and Mr. Hirota did not conceal his horror at the fact that “members of the Communist International have penetrated all classes of the Chinese, destroying the social order of the country and endangering the stability of East Asia!” He found it “most lamentable . . . for the sake of the rest of Asia as a whole, as well as for the people of China” that the Chinese Government of Generalissimo Chiang have been “unable to act wisely and well with calm judgment but . . . are even now calling for prolonged resistance, regardless of the plight of 400 million people of China, whom they have plunged into the depths of suffering and misery.”

Much as Gladstone might have voiced his Liberal compassion for India, Hirota continued: “All Japan wants is that China, taking a broad view of the situation, will collaborate with Japan for the fulfillment of the ideal of Sino-Japanese co-operation for the common prosperity and well-being of the two countries.”

Whenever, in Queen Victoria’s day. a recalcitrant Maharaja showed himself as “blind,” “unrepentant” and “desperate”, as Chiang Kai-shek is now (to use Mr. Hirota’s adjectives), British subjects had to discharge their duty by recognizing some other Indian as his rightful successor, and Mr. Hirota indicated that this is exactly what Japan is in course of doing in China: “Our Government now look forward to the establishment and growth of the new Chinese regime capable of genuine co-operation with Japan which it is our intention to assist in the building up of the new and rehabilitated China.”

On a note of high Victorian principle and good will Koki Hirota announced: “In Europe and America there are some who are apt to entertain misgivings regarding Japanese intentions, as though she were trying to close China’s door and expel the interests of the powers from China. . . . Not only will Japan respect to the fullest extent rights and interest of the powers in the occupied areas but she is prepared for the purpose of promoting welfare of the Chinese people to leave the door wide open to all powers and to welcome their cultural and economic co-operation there.”

Day after Mr. Hirota s speech Emperor Hirohito published a poem: Peaceful is morning in the Shrine garden; World conditions, it is hoped, also will be peaceful.