Evening star., 1932-09-06
PU-W SEEN AIMING
AT CH|NA'S THRONE
Backing of Japan in Attempt
to Regain Emperor's Title
Held Possible.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

That Henry Pu-Yi, the nominal ruler
OF Manchukuo may attempt to regain
the throne Of China, which he lost in
1911. Is being considered as a possi-
oility at present in well informed
quarters here and abroad.
1t Is beyond doubt that the Japanese
Manchukuo troops will begin military
operations for the occupation of the
weeks.
These operations judged exclusively
from military viewpoint are essential
for the maintenance of order in Man.
chukuo. At the present moment the
Japanese are considerably harassed by
daring raids Of Chinese irregulars, who
receive reinforcements, arms, ammu-
milton and money from China proper,
through the province Of Jehel.
May Push Into China.
But in usually well informed quarters
it is believed that the Japanese will
not confine their operations to the oc-
cupation Of Jehel, but will endeavor
to go beyond the wall into China. Their
next aim Is reported to be Peiping and
Tientsin.
u. On account of the possible interna-
donal complications in which such op-
Grafton might involve Japan, because
Great Britain, France, Italy and the
United States have more at stake, ma
terially, in Northern China than in
Manchuria. 1t is unlikely that the Toxic
government will undertake such a dar-
ing move on its own responsibility. 1t
must start from the ruler of Manchu-
kuo, who until 21 years ago was En-
peror Of China. It is true that the
State Of Manchukuo has no army of
any consequence, but this drawback
could be easily remedied by Japan put
ting at the disposal OF Pu-Y the neces-
Sary troops to oust from Peiping Mar
shall Chang Hsueh Liang and occupy
his ancestral throne.
When the republic was established in
China, Pu-Yi, then only child, signed
document renouncing all his rights
and prerogatives in favor of the new
republic. The republican government,
in turn, agreed to give the boy certain
financial compensations, but these
promises remained only on paper. Civil
wars and frequent changes of govern
ment in China prevented the Chinese
government from keeping its promises.
Has Claim to Throne.
mus To-Day, Wnlle the abd1cat10n act
Pu-Yi Is still in force, he has a good
claim to his throne on the grounds
that since the Chinese government has
not kept its part of the contract, the
agreement signed 81 years ago is void,
and the ruler Of Manchukuo has a per-
feet right to the throne he had alb
dicated when republican form of gov
ernment was proclaimed in China.
The Japanese government Is greatly
interested in Northern China. It is
also interested in establishing govern
ment in the close neighborhood Of Man
chukuo which will remain friendly to
Japan and which will be as much under
the control Of the Toxic government as
the Manchukuo state is today.
II the young ruler can be established
in Peiping, while keeping nominally his
control over Manchuria, the actual gov
ernment will be still more in Japanese
hands than it is today; in the mean
time, Manchuria will thus be isolated
from the rest Of China and the Ma
tionalist move which might otherwise
cost the Japanese government many
more millions and thousands Of lives,
would gradually disappear for lack of
contact with other parts of China. 1t
Is for this reason that Toxic Is report
ed to be seriously considering the posi-
bility of helping Pu-Yi to regain the
throne he had abapdoned Is q child
in 1911.