JAPAN'S VISION

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 129, 28 November 1932, Page 7

JAPAN'S VISION

THE NEW MANCHUKUO

COLONISING A CONTINENT

WITH TOKIO SUPREME

Now' that Japan has extended formal recognition to Manchukuo, the papers and periodicals are full of articles relating .to colonisation and developments' projects in that region. • . Most of these articles are -written by milifary men. They cannot, therefore, be regarded as* -giving expression to the intentions of the .Government, but when it is remembered that the army is having very much its own way. in Japan to-day, especially with regard to Manchukuo and China, the sentiments and intentions expressed injthese articles have significance. Furthermore, the tenor of the articles lend colour to* the belief that they have all emanated from one common source (writes Alfred E. Pieres in the. "San Francisco Chronicle"). - • They usually begin by rejoicing in the fact that a part of Japan's great mission on the Asian mainland has been accomplished,, and, continue that it is now time for the Japanese people to turn to the question of developing and securing the fruits of the "sacrifices made by our brave soldiers." » ■'. . . . Concerning the administration of Manchukuo, it is insisted .that .while: the new Government is to all intends and purposes a Chinese administration—that is, formed of Manehus* and Chinese in Manehukuo — it _is essential that the efficiency and financial intergrity of the new-Govern-ment shall not suffer. The implication is that the' very administration that theJapanese military set up, when 30,000,000 Manehurinns, panting with a desire for self-determination, declared their "independence," is suspect. In order to insure this efficiency and. financial integrity, these' articles say, the Japanese have erected a "steel frame," manned by Japanese, while a kind of an inner Government, a. wheel within the superficially larger ' "independence" wheel, has been installed, which gives the Japanese members volatile Manchukuo Government general control of.policy. ' .FOR PROTECTION. It'is also pointed out that every efiort will be made by Japan to insure that the Manchukuo Administration remains friendly. I£ it does-not, if the old. intrigues and rivalries1 show signs of revival, then, say these articles, .annexation will be inevitable. '. '.'.■ .■:.*■"■ ';-'■■ . As regards colonisation, while it is true that the Japanese farmer and worker has a higher standard of living than bis Chinese, Manchurian, or Korean confrere, it is pointed out that, with the farmers in Northern and North-eastern Japan now facing destitution and virtual starvation, their lot, as* matters are at present, is far worse than that of the farmer or labourer -in Manchukuo. Consequently insuperable obstacles in the way of farmers from, say, Hokkaido, ' Japan's big northern island, .emigrating to Maucliukuo are largely discounted. ' Further, special' areas, twelve miles wide on either side of the principal railway lines*, are to be reserved for Japanese colonists.' Each of these colonist communities will have its own physicians, blacksmiths, carpenters,- priests, . etc., while the villages in this) ,New Jerusalem will be walled in, with loopholes for rifles and machine-guns. Every family will be given arms, all the niales will be drilled, and all the inhabitants will- take an oath to render' military service if, they are needed, Expenses for arming the colonists and for erecting, virtual forts around their villages will' be met by the Central Government. , In addition, the property of the former rulers* of this territory and of their adherents will be confiscated and placed at the disposal of the Jananese emigrants. Chinese immigration will be restricted, while the first' move toward establishing Tillages will be made. with Korean settlers, over whom'frill be placed Japanese headmen. ' ; :; ; STRATEGIC'FtOUTE. The constructien o^ railways is seen as a means of giving employment to Japanese workmen, and also of tending to help the steel and other industries of Japan proper. The greatest importance is attached to the Kainei-Tunhwa section of the northern railway, -which is expected to bring the produce of the rich northern territories direct to the ice-free port of Seishin, on the Korean 'coast, and directly opposite the geographical centre of Japan's mainland. .... This new railway, it is stated, offers an invaluable additional line of communication with North.Manchuria in the event of war with Russia. The Japanese have often contended that Japan's first line of. defence on the mainland is the Kinghan mountain?, ,in -North-western Manchuria. This projected new railway—it .is partly completed—offers . a new direct route to North' Manchuria; whblly under Japanese control, and its strategic importance is apparent. . •-.-•' , . Those who have studied the structure of the new Manchukuo Government" will have noted that there is no Ministry of Education. . This, it is stated, is because the new State" does not need."high-collar" and "black-coated" youths, but "hardy sons of the soil," and brawn rather than brains. It is also pointed out that .the western boundary (bordering1, China proper) of Manchukuo has never yet been definitely defined, and the, hope is expressed that, as Manchukuo settles down to peace and order, and becomes'the paradise it is destined to be. other provinces of China, like'Hepeh -(Chihli) and Shansi. will yearn to come within the Manchukuo fold. Nothing is said of Jehol, but the presumption is that this area is destined to be affiliated- with. Manchukuo sooner or later. AGENT FOR DEFENCE. Since the new State of Manehukuo, in any predictable future, will not be able to defend itself against China or Russia, Japan proposes to undertake its defence. At the same time, the Japanese will organise a peace .preservation corps composed of the five races—Manchu, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and Mongolians—inhabiting^ Manchukuo, to preserve internal order. This force will be officered by Japanese, will be the nucleus of the future Manchukuo army, and will, at the beginning, number 80,000 officers and men. Such are some of the plans for the development and colonisation o£ Manchukuo and .for converting the plains of this territory into a paradise. A large number wonder whether this vision is any more than a vision. , These, realise the gargantuan nature of the difficulties involved and the strain upon the political sand social frabric at home .as well as on Japan's foreign relations. "The military, however, are not in a mood to call a halt to what they have started. Then- attitude is summed up in the text, "Having put our hands to the plough, we shall not look back."