Japan and China In the Japanese Diet this week the
attack has continued on the National Mobilisation Bill, which concentrates all power, for the duration of the war, in the hands of the Govern- ment and the armed forces. But however fierce the attack, it has little support among the population and can hardly be interpreted as anything more than a last stand of the great industrial interests, which the parliamentary parties represent, against the growing encroachments of the army and bureau. cracy. And so long as the war continues as favourably as at present for Japan, it is a stand which has small prospects of success. This week the Japanese armies can claim a great and decisive victory in the province of Shansi, where operations have been concentrated for the last month. The Japanese advance has been remarkable for its speed, and has brought them within reach of controlling all the country north and east of the Yellow River. In the face of intense bombing and shelling the Chinese were wise to retreat west- ward, by the Langshih pass, into Shensi ; the battle for the pass is reported to have been the biggest that has yet occurred in North China. Yet, decisive though the victory is, it exem- plifies once again the difficulties which Japan has to face ; for it will be followed by a long period of guerilla warfare in Shansi which the Japanese will have more difficulties in sup- pressing than they have had, as yet, in defeating China's armies in pitched battle.
