JAPANESE EXPANSIONISM
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—My breath was taken away upon reading the Rev. Mr. Murray Walton's letter on Japanese Expansionism in The Spectator of June Iith.
I would like just a word by way of a final rer.iIy... First I would ask : Is it not the fact that Japan, like Italy in Abys- sinia, in an effort " to solve her population problem "- bombed, gassed and blasted her way through Manchuria ? Secondly, would she not act in exactly the same way with China as a whole were she to feel strong enough ? According to the Rev. Mr. Murray Walton, Japan is compelled to resort to these " peaceful methods " because " she is denied economic expansion." That is what he suggests if English words can be pinned down to any meaning.
The Kokumin is a paper of influence and importance in japan and its views have been quoted in the past in The Spectator and other important papers in England by competent writers with " discriminating minds," though the Rev. Mr. Murray Walton apparently does not think so.
In my previous letter I said that Japan's " peaceful cam- paign " in Manchuria, and Mussolini's in Abyssinia, were interesting efforts to " love thy neighbour " with a mailed fist. The everlasting question is : " And who is my neigh- bour ? " On reading over again the story of the Good Samaritan, I note that the Priest and the Levite were, at any rate, non-violent persons, and can't be described as aggressors. They simply ignored the poor innocent creature who was found lying on the roadside.
Japan, on the other hand, after promising full protection and other things, returned later, and murdered the innocent victim without cause—in cold blood. That is the case against Japan. That is the case against Mussolini. All this is recent history and cannot be denied. Your correspondent now asks me to suggest a better " alternative method." To say that I am " prejudiced " does not disturb me in the least.
I can't recall ever having read one word of condemnation of Japan's efforts in Manchuria and other parts from the Rev. Mr. Murray Walton's pen in the columns of The Spectator.
Finally, I would be glad of a short list of persons (" distin- guished minds ") the Rev. Mr. Murray Walton thinks " are competent to speak on Japan."—I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
Poona. J. D. JENKINS. [We cannot continue this correspondence.—ED. The Spectator.]
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