Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-10

war on Russia in 1904, and their battles
were fought mainly in Manchuria. The
peace of 1905 put temporary end 10
the rivalry between Japan and Russia
and Manchuria was divided INTO Two
zones of influence; Northern Man
churia became the Russian zone Of
influence; Southern Manchurla,| the
Japanese zone of influence. WHAT the
Japanese actually obtained in the peace
treaty of 1905 was the ceSslon OF the
southern section Of the Manchurlan
RAILWAYS. In fact however. she OBJ
tanned recognition of her political and
economic interests ! Southern Man
Churia.
When the World War broke out Japan
Joined the allies. In order to alleviate
certain fears expressed in the United
States about her ultimate AIMS IN the
Far East. the japanese prime minister
notified the world powers on august %,
1914. that "as prime minister OF Japan,
l state that Japan has no Interior mo-
tives. no desire to secure more territory,
no thought of depriving China of any
thing she now possesses. My govern
ment and my people have given their
word and their pledge, which Will be
as honorably kept as Japan always
keeps her premises
Received With Smile.
This last sentence was received by
certain we'll informed Americans Win
a smile. They remembered JapanS &C
ton in regard to the Empire OF Korea
some four years earlier.
Korea was once an independent en-
pire. By the treaty of 1904 between
that country and Japan the latter
country formally guaranteed the terri
torial integrity of the Korean Empire.
In 1905 Japan took over the control
and direction of the Korean external
affairs. In 1908 Japan made public
ana solemn engagement that she did
not intend to annex Korea and in
1910 japan forced the Korean Emperor
10 sign an agreement ceding the whole
empire to Japan These facts were
we'll remembered by many leading
Americans and consequently JapanS
statement that she would keep her
pledges as in the past, was received
with a good deal of skepticism.
In 1915 Japan concluded a series of
treaties with China whereby that coun-
try conceded to Japan the right to op-
crate the South Manchurian Railway
for 90 years This treaty was ratified
by the government of Northern China.
but later the Canton government served
notice on the japanese that they would
not recognize that treaty. In the
meantime the japanese started lend
ing important sums of money to the
Northern Chinese government in order
to bolster it against the Southern gov
eminent, which was established at
Canton and later transferred to Nan
king.
Railways Were Needed.
To exploit the vast natural resources
of ManphH1Tia
There are two principal systems III
Manchuria-the Eastern Railways,
which are run by RuSso-Chinese COM
pany and is nominally in Chinese
hands although in fact controlled by
Moscow, ard the South Manchurian
Railways, controlled by the japanese.
Within the last 10 years another rail-
way running parallel with the South
Manchurian was built by the Chinese.
This new line starts from Mukden and
runs through Taonan and Tsitsihar to
the Russian border at kumanskaya.
This new railroad was built with the
idea of competing with the Japanese
controlled system.
The japanese did not like these in
dependent moves CT the Chinese. Fur
thermore, with BolsheviSt Russia out
of the picture, they had their eyes on
Manchuria as possible place for
populaClon expansion. Inc 1acC that
the population Of Manchuria was great
ly increased in number by Chinese i'm
migration from Canton and other parts
of China worried the japanese govern
ment.
Toxic Displeased.
On account of the troubled situation
caused by civil wars and by the drought,
the number of Chinese settlers in Man
churia has increased rapidly in the last
few years. They found there a fertile
territory and comparative safety. This
move did not suit Tokio's plans. To
the 30,000,000 Chinese there are barely
100000 japanese living in that province.
II this immigration process lasted much
longer there was a serious danger that
there would be no room for Japanese