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SCMP Reporter

READING the front-page article of the South China Morning Post, on May 5, I realised the seriousness of the deep-rooted and sensitive issue of the ''unresolved mystery'' - the 1937 Rape of Nanjing.

  After some five decades, this subject still remains a major obstacle haunting Japan.

  The recent comments of the Japanese Justice Minister Nagano's (who has now resigned) to the Mainichi newspaper in Japan aroused strong feelings.

   His comments were careless and it was inappropriate for a public figure of his stature to talk in that way.

 On the Nanking Massacre, the Encyclopaedia Britannica stated, that it was an ''act of mass atrocity never before recorded in world history'' (their phrasing has softened considerably in more recent editions). Nobody should deny or excuse in any way, the inhumane wrongdoings committed by the Japanese Army stationed in Nanjing during that crucial period.

 It is a fact that the Japanese caused sorrow and anguish to countless Chinese citizens living in this besieged city. In addition to normal wartime casualties, it was evident that the Japanese military command was totally out of control, with numerous cases of its soldiers breaking the military code of law only for personal gain.

  In addition, strong anti-Japanese sentiments had resulted in terrorist activity.

  Guerilla warfare was also at its peak adding fuel to the already uncontrollable situation. Even under such disastrous wartime conditions, the encyclopaedia's description of the Nanjing Massacre remains debatable.

  Population of Nanjing: Old wartime records including documents in the possession of the foreign press corps stationed in Nanjing, indicate that the population was around 150,000. In addition, it is probable that Chang Kai Shek's army present in Nanjing was around 35,000 to 50,000 strong. The total population count would not have exceeded 200,000. This includes the British, American, German and other foreign nationals as well as the couple of hundred foreign press and media personnel. This raises strong doubts about the official death toll of the Nanjing massacre if the population figure is considered close to accurate.

  United Nations Records: China, while it was represented by Chiang Kai Shek's Government in the UN, made continuous accusations and claims regarding Japan's wrongdoings in mainland China throughout the Asian phase of World War II. These claims were made repeatedly and yet despite the fact that there was a substantial media presence, the news of the massacre was never reported.

 Surely, a massacre on the scale that is claimed, deserves attention even if it is not considered as the lead story for any publication.

  Here again, strange as it may seem, major publications such as Newsweek, Time etc, did not take up this story.

  Never during this period did the Nanking massacre make news although many other minor war stories had regular coverage.

  War Crimes Tribunal: The tribunal decided that it should be recorded that the Japanese military killed over 200,000 innocent civilians.

  What is astonishing is that none of the witnesses gave evidence regarding the mass killing in Nanjing.

  Statements were given by various people, including the resident American, Mr John G. Maggie, although these were only minor isolated wrongdoings by the Japanese army.

  Nevertheless, the final outcome of the trial decided that mass atrocity was evident.

  I mention these points, because evidence is required to totally erase any doubts in the minds of many Japanese.

  Protest marches, demonstrations and other radical measure will certainly attract public attention and will succeed in arousing further hatred and confrontation towards Japan.

  However, it would be better for people such as Mr Andrew Tu (Chairman of the Chinese Alliance for the Commemoration of the Sino-Japanese War Victims) to review his available information on the incident and publicly clarify all doubtful points.

  KENGO FUKAMACHI New Territories 



Raising doubts about massacre