It comes as rst the slightest surprise to observe how closely Japanese destinies were linked with those of Manchuria and, exploiting this theme to the fullest extent, Mr. Young has delved very deeply into the now significant question of Manchoukuo's relationship with the Island Empire from both economic and historic viewpoints; He takes the reader very slowly and methodically from the time Chang Tso-lin was assassmoted in Mukden in 1928, through the various phases that were to so discontent the Japanese Army, up till the time that Manchuria was finally and "irrevocably" annexed from the mainland by force of arms and sheer will power. Of course, the author's story of Manchuria does not suddenly cease with its being "acquired" but continues til the closing pages of the book, the many pressing problems in one shape or another of the South Manchurian Railway, for one specific instance, being almost quite sufficient to demand constant attention from the military in Tokyo. Mr. Young's knowledge of Manchurian affairs is not one whit less than that which he has of Japan proper and for the first time we are able to see behind the scenes, to observe just what really did happen in 1931 and the ensuing years and in what manner Japan hopes and expects to develop this vast tract of land.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.