The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1932. THE OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1932. THE OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA

r l he Japanese occupation of Manchuria lias proceeded almost according to plan, and the fact that such strategic points as Mukden and Harbin were secured before the oncoming winter, shows the determination with which the purposeful japs advanced. Both cities are of considerable dimensions, and will he pivots for the Japanese army when it moves again. When that time arrives, it will he interesting to see what Russia will do. Harbin is a junction station on the railway from Russia to .Validivostock, which is Russia’s port and outlet- to the Sea. of Japan and the northern Pacific. It has been- said that of Japan, China and Russia, the first mentioned is the only one of the three nation's at all prepared for war. China with all her teeming millions, is net militaristic as Japan is, determinedly so, and Russia is not in awarlike mood, being content to grapple with her Five Tear Plan which seems to be giving the leaders full occupation;. Russia tried conclusions with Japan before. She fought a long way from home, and was not organised, as will he remembered particularly in the voyage of the Russian navy to the Far East. The Soviet can hardly hope for victory with Japan, for the Communn-tic system .itself would he in peril if Russia failed to assert itself and had to sue for peace ..ml accept the dicta lion of a conpueriii',; nation such ns .Japan. It is a fact that although Russian interests in .Manchuria have been threatened somewhat seriously by the .lapam -e advance, the Soviet has la.-, mi content simply to lodge protests in dip!nien ,: e language against the net • ■ n ef the invadeis. The position in .Manchuria is very complex. It is under Chinese authority, yet it i-ludes railway com w sioinx to both Japan and Russia. The two nations have a colourable rigid to lie there In nrntect. their property winch it has been alleged China could not do. 4 he .1 a pa iie-e railw"'- in v"iithe”M Manchuria is the more important. I'M- it runs froii Dairen Coil Arthur of hi,.•torv't I'rough Mukden to Uarbni. Rust year there acre spasmodic Chinese attacks at, 'mints alorg l" 1 ' l! 'lway for lout mg purposes'. I' ! 'icr came the activities o l ' the bandits, and tlieir atrocities, while Communistic activities were also,, a menace. Tlie.su attacks

gave Japan a tangible reason to go in and establish law and order for the .safety of its property. Russia inactive will loee prestige and power, hut perhaps that is better than losing both to Japan in a little war. Russia has much to lose in another war with .Japan, for even Validivostock might disappear as a Russian possession. So, as far as Manchuria is concerned. Japan will have matters largely her own way, if . too much is not attempted in southern Chinn. In Manchuria it will he possible with the tin at victory to set up a buffer state and so check Russia -in the East, by peaceful means.