East Meets West

The Truth About Dick Wild

An excited audience watched the films of the Japanese Football tour. We learnt some of the truth about our stalwarts, but we understand certain members of the team had the films censored first! Mr. Chesterman is to be congratulated on his splendid phogoraphy.

Following the movies, Mr. Martin-Smith gave a very interesting address on his observations in Japan. Japan, he told us, is a conflict between old and new and cannot be judged on Western standards. A few powerful families apparently rule the country and with the laws made to suit themselves and under the shade of the Emperor's power they flourish indeed. In opposition however, is the reactionary military party which is anti-capitalist and anti-communist, and is, in fact, broadly fascist. The latter is gaining power. Japan feels she is being denied legitimate expansion of her markets and as she relies on industrialisation and not colonisation, the tariff policy of the nations can only increase the feeling of resentment, strengthen the reactionary party and lead to war.

There is a big body of liberal tought in Japan. For example, the "left-thought" in the Universities, where the applicant for admission must have an unblemished record of loyalty, is most surprising. One cannot categorize the statements of the military and naval leaders as Japan, for they are a peac-loving people, wonderfully hospitable and delightful in their own surroundings.