I found foreign residents in Manchoukuo, unofficial and official alike, almost "unanimously in favour ut recognition. Business-men, looking at] it from the view of their immediate Interests, thought that it might make] things easier for them and that, anyhow, it could not make them worse, A few even hoped that it would im-Prove their chances of doing business. But there were a number of for~ eigners, and also Chinese, who re-{garded the question as it affected the Chinese population. Those, too, were of the opinion that recognition would have certain definite advantages. They hoped that once the other Powers had recognized Manchoukuo they would take'a greater interest in the country, Jand would be able to get into closer touch with the Chinese officials, thus affording them a certain amount of moral support. That, in fact, the knowledge that they.had other Powers to deal with besides Japan might possibly, in minor matters more independence and initiative than they show at present, 'This sounds rather' optimistic, but there may be something in it.' For on the contrary, if any: thing, would prefer not to have her recognized. One leading pers Hsinking said to me: "Recognition is burning question with us while Army men simply shrug-fed their shoulders and smiled when the question came up. Indeed, from remarks that were let drop, I inclined to believe that they hold the view that Manchoukuo, standing alone with Japan the only Power recog: laing her, in+fact her sole support, would be easier to manage. That recognition might even stir up a loi of sleeping ambitions amongst the Chinese which might cause then quite unnecessary trouble.
The Japanese Connection Amidst the uncertainties that surround the future of Manchoukuo one fact stands out, quite clearly: the Japanese connection. "Some foreign ers, by no means entirely favourable 'Japan, were of the opinion that the' Japanese had had no alternative but to step in, when and as they ati in 1931, if Manchuria was to be saved from impending anarchy. The mis government under Chang Hsueh-liang and his advisers had reached suen dimensions that the country was ea the verge of a complete break-down which must have ended in Bolshevism, Whether that view is correct or not, It certainly holds good for that coun: try to-day. Manchoukuo falls stands with Japan. If something} were to happen fo the "senior part ner," of if, for some reason or other, she had to withdraw from Man: churia, the whole fabric of the new, state would collapse at once like a house of cards.
What would then evolve it is dim-monkeys, civets, squirrels and other: small animals, and. birds of many kinds, "the extremely tall Annam_ gametocks being a favourite venture, fand a peacock or two an occasional In former years, the junks were! convoyed by war junks up the cast! coast of Hainan, but there is no conveying now end, curiously enough, piracy is said to be infrequent along) the coasts of he island, As far as it has been possible to determine, the ancient trade with the shores of the Arabian Sea was carried on by junks which sailed from Canton, and not by Hainan junks. cult to say.
The idea that Manchoukuo would ever revert to China seems to me highly doubtful, However much they may resent being lorded over by the Japanese, I failed to discover among! any class of Chinese any desire return to the Kuomintang fold. As conditions in Manchuria continue to improve, thus further emphasizing, the difference between the two countries," every day that elapses must tend' to diminish stil further any hankering after the old rule.
More likely, in the chaos and confusion that would follow on the departure of the Japanese, would be affiliation with Russia ss\ some kind. oon leave in Eng lof socialist republic, on the lines of Outer Mongolia; or alternatively years of pure chaos, and break-up Into a number of small states ruled lover by dictators of the brigand ehlet type.
On one thing all foreigners /Manchoukuo were agreed: that, for good or evil, os things are to-day, there was no al eared tu its" issue {Becond gran tu tks tau and the third and last
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.