The low mileage percentages, how. ever, do not minimize in the least the dynamic force of tke railways In Manchoukuo. Like railway systems in 'a number of other countries, railways: In this country are essenilally for national defence and economic exploitation, and as such have a near monopoly of the two services. Strateflleally laid out, the railways actually represent a well-built skeleton round whick the future of Manchouluo may well be developed.
More Important at the present time than as on instrument of national defence is the economic role of the railways in this country, a virtually new land awaiting the hand of man to develop. Manchoukuo recognizes the economic importance of railways, according {0 the SMR. which ex: plains the situation in the following.
"Some new Industrial developments: fave, taken place (in Manchoukuo), mainly in the opening of new mines containing coal, iron and gold. Little fis known regarding the potential wealth of northern Mancoukuo and Investigations are being carried out by the economic department of the South Manchuria Railway Company.
ce-operation with the Manchoulauc Government. Railway expansion and progress serve as te gauge of 2 country's development and the ambition of Manchoukuo to-day is the construction of more railways, though some of them may not yet pay as business investments, for instance. the Peian-Heiho Line.
Transferring Farmers from Jehol "Manchoukuo thinks of the future, and recognizes the economic necessity of such lines, however, and a plan under study now to send thousands of poor farmers in Jehol Province, Who have little or no land, to the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.