MANCHUKUO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 267, 10 November 1934, Page 7 (Supplement)

MANCHUKUO.

EMPIRE IN MAKING. "WHAT DOES JAPAN "WANT 1 AN UNQUALIFIED ASSURANCE. i ! (By FRANCIS W. CLARKE.) IV. HSINKING, Manchukuo. "The- supreme and sole purpose of Japan in its participation in the creation of the new State of Manchukuo, and the assistance that has boon rendered to the new government since, is to create a new and fully independent nation, both politically and economically, and to bring conditions of law and order out of the chaos that existed when Manchukuo came into existence." Thus speaks General Taka Ilishikari, commander-in-chief of the Japanese troops in Manchuria, Japanese , Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary i.o Manchukuo, and Governor-General of the Kwantung Leased Territory, which includes the great new port city of Dairen. General Hishikari represents the highest authority, both military and civil, of Japan in Manchukuo at this time. His frank and unqualified statement replied to tiro blunt question as to whether Japan's present dominating influence in Manchuria is for the purpose of conquest or solely to aid a neighbouring people to achieve good and independent government. In consenting to grant an exclusive interview, General Hishikari expressed the hope that the questions propounded to him would be frank and to the point. Pledged to Maintain Order. It was on this basis that General Hishikari was told that opinion in the United States was divided among those who believe that Japan intended, as in tho case of Korea some years ago, to make Manchuria a dependency and then an integral part of her empire; those who hold that Japan is divided between two factions, one headed by the military, which lias conquest in mind, and another composed of the civil side of the government, which desires the creation of an independent nation; and those who believed Japan's real purpose is to aid in tho building of an independent and self-sufficient nation to act as a buffer stato between Nippon, Russia and China.

In considering Japan's relation to Manchuria now and her probable relation in future, it must be. borne in mind that in international law there are several classifications of "independent" states. For example, Cuba is unquestionably independent, but under the Platt amendment the United Slates possesses the right to land armed forces within its borders when it was deemed necessary to do so in order to enforce law and order. Under the protocol signed between Japan and Manchukuo, it is recognised by both governments that the maintenanco of law and order within Manchuria and its protection from external attack are necessary to the defence of Japan herself, and the latter is therefore authorised to keep armed forces within the new State when at any time in her judgment it is necessary. General Hishikari's unqualified statement is all tho more significant in view of tho fact that he represents the military faction of the Japanese Government —the faction charged with being dedicated to the principle of empire building through conquest. Eliminating Lawless Elements. Elaborating his statement, General Hishikari points out:— "It has been our endeavour to eliminate the elements threatening the lives and the property of the people of Manchukuo, and to lend ou.r efforts to the Manchurians in creating a new ideal of governmental responsibility and efficiency ni public service. i "For two years we have been thus co-operating with the Manchukuoan leaders, and it is my confident opinion, based on tho results of this formative period of a new nation and a new government, that there is no possible doiibt that in due time the Manchurian public leaders will absorb the principles and responsibilities of high ofTice to the extent that the stability and integrity of government in this great area will be permanently assured.

"Let mo reiterate that we have no other objective than to effect the establishment of a completely independent stato in Manchuria. We can have no other purpose, for the Emperor of Japan, in his Imperial Rescript issued upon our withdrawal from the League of Nations, declares that Japan desires and intends to co-operate with the other nations of tho world in tho preservation of peace and good will, "War accomplishes nothing. You Americans thought you won in the World War, but you have found that you arc losers—as is true with the so-called victors in every war in the history of mankind. "Japan lias nothing to conceal concerning its activities in Manchuria. We wish always for careful and thorough investigation of what we are doing and what the results arc, and we feel that in that way the world may be convinced of our high purpose and extend the friendly interest and co-operation thftt would be so helpful. "We have made mistakes; we arc fallible, like other nations; but we are true to the ideal of service toward peace not only in tho Far East, but throughout the world, that actuated us in assuming the task we are performing to the best of our ability in Manchukuo."—N.A.N.A.

(To be continued.)