Evening star., 1933-07-09
MANCHUKU0 SHOWS''
SIGNS OF PROGRESS
Success Reported in Solving
New States Problem
of Banditry.

Detailed information respecting con-
ditions in Manchukuo up to- about SIX
weeks ago has been receiver by Inc
Star from a source, which. while Ia
vorable to Japan, is nevertheless TO oe
credited as authentic and accurate. IL
comes from one who is intimately IA
miliar with the situation in the newly
created state and with the clrcum-
stances attending its organization fol-
lowing the incident Of September IL,
1881, when a clash occurred near Muk-
den between Chinese and japanese
troops following a breaking OF the line
of the South Manchuria Railway.
The major problem Of the Japanese
supporters of the new regime IN Man
chukuo has been the abatement OF the
bSndit- soldier menace there. When the
japanese forces in a series OF engage
ments defeated and scattered the troops
of Marshal Chang HSueh Lang, VINO
was supreme ruler of Manchurla under
the old order, these armed men began
to operate as unorganized groups IN CO.
operation with bandits who had been
previously active 1t is estimated that
in August, 1882, these Chinese soldier
bandits and mixed gangs totaled from
100000 to 100000. Where they oper-
ated in military fashion in large bodies
they were wiped out comparatively
quickly by intensive drives by the Japa-
nese troops Most of them maintained
themselves by robbing the civilian pop
ulation. From time to time their num-
ber wes augmented by former ciVlllanS
who were driven to bandltry and de-
prived of their means of earning an
honest living either by these depreda- :
tionS or by the great floods which ruined
large areas Of agricultural lana IN Norln
Manchuria in 1882.
These groups were rated by the au-
thorities in Nanking and Peking as
"volunteers." Bandit leaders were given
commissions as regular officers and large
rewards were offered for depredatlonS
such as the wrecking of trains, destruc-
ton of government buildings and aSsaS-
sinations of military and civil oftlcerS.
Arms and munitions were supplied from
China, where popular subscriptions were
conducted for that purpose.
Problem Believed Solved.
These supplies found their way into
Manchuria through Jehol, and it was
in part for the purpose of closing that
gate for these munitions for the main
tenance of the bandit warfare in Man
churia that the campaign at Jehol was
undertaken In Manchuria proper the
Japanese and Manchukuo military forces
began systematiZed drives in triangular
sections. This campaign, 1t is now re-
ported, has resulted in reduction Of the
laWless armed forces to between $4,000
and 10000. They are now confined
chiefly to the northeastern area. 1t is
felt that the bandit problem in Man
chukuo has been solved.
Three measures have been adopted
for the suppression of this bandit men
ace to peace and order in the new
state, education. negotiation and eco
nomic rehabilitation. By education" Is
signified a demonstration by the au-
thorities that the Manchukuo govern
ment is solid and progressive and that
it cannot be overturned by force of
arms from within. BY negotiation" Is
meant the persuasion of the bandits to
lay down their arms voluntarily. This
has been successful, numerous gangs
having already surrendered. A few
groups have been employed in police
work and small number of them have
reverted to banditry. Economic re-
habilitation" has consisted in grants OF
money or seed grain to farmers whose
holdings have been ruined so that they
may be given a fresh start in peaceful
occupations. large sums having been
appropriated by the government for this
purpose.
A system of village defense by patrols
formed by the villagers themselves has
been adopted. This measure was at
tended with difficulty inaSmuch as the
possession OF arms by civilians formed
a possible supply for the bandits. When
arms have been issued to the people for
this purpose count has been taken of
them and the heads of the villages have
been held responsible for their safe
keeping and proper use
1t is now believed that the ma ajority
OF the remaining bandits can be elimi-
mated by peaceful means, especially as
the majority of them are not profess
sionalS, but have been forced into
banditry. Opportunity is now offered
for them to find employment in con-
nection with the construction of new
roads. railways and buildings and the
establishment of new industries.
Kaoliang as Bandit Screen.
In the past it has been found that
when railways were built the bandits
moved away from them because of the
maintenance of armed guards along
the lines. The network of new ran
lines now under construction will, it is
believed, facilitate the suppression of
this nuisance Another measure Of pro-
lection against the bandit plague has
S0ett oil oluct HldhHlS IL llleSdI 10 plant
kaollang within a certain distance of
the railway tracks. This cereal, which
grows to a height of 10 or Is feet. being
very much like American corn in ap-
pearance, and is one of the major crops
OF Manchuria. has in the past made it
easy FOR bandit gangs to attack villages
and railway lines. as it is impossible Ia
pursue them successfully when thev
scatter through the grain. Visitors to
Manchuria before the recent happen-
1ngs which resulted in the separation
OF the three eastern provinces" from