Eastern Chaos
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Respective Troubles of China and Japan
Special Despatch to PIM from Marc T. Greene-
Hong Kong, Feb. 26.
CHINESE prospects of victory in the war with Japan are being gravely threatened by two factors—increasing economic chaos and the widening rift between the Chungking Government and the Communist forces.
Another serious development is the in efficiency and corruption in the operation of the Burma Road.
The lack of qualified drivers and mechanics, and the “squeeze” to whichi both are resorting in order to enhance their wages, are so holding up traffic that supplies, mainly from America, are arriving at the railhead at Lashio twice as fast as they are getting into the in terior over the road.
The average wage of the drivers, who are in about the most difficult and dan gerous service that could be found any where, is the equivalent of $l2, US currency, per month, and of the mechanics even less. Consequently, the drivers get even by selling gasoline out of the supply trucks for 15 Chinese dollars a gallon, whereas it costs the Government 25 dollars.
American policy regarding China is about to undergo a radical change, and it is believed that there will be exercised a much closer supervision over Chinese economic and financial policy. It is also rumoured that there is to be a change of Ambassadors. (Since Mr. Greene wrote that, Mr. Gauss, American Minister in Australia, has left to become Ambassador in China.—Ed. “PIM”.) The position in Hong Kong is quiet, and, although the expansion of defences goes on, no developments are looked for in the near future.
Meanwhile, hundreds of bereft hus bands are getting more and more restive at the absence of their families down in Australia. There is said to be some ap prehension lest the families get over-fond of that pleasant land.
The Japanese are, in all likelihood, pre paring for a definite move in southem Indo-China, out of which they hope to recoup their weakening internal economy.
Prince Konoye announces that the war has cost Japan, so far, more than 17,500,000,000 yen. This drab information is said to have had the House of Peers "in tears”. As for the Japanese people,, their capacity for tears is long since exhausted.
Nobody takes Matsuoka’s rantings very seriously, yet there is always the danger that, in the increasing difficulties of Japan’s position, she may be driven to some desperate, even if suicidal, act.