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54. Japan is also sending over picked young men who are to receive training at special farms in local husbandry and in military duties. Disaster struck one of these special settlements in the summer of 1938, when an outbreak of dysentery afflicted 600 out of 1,000 settlers. These figures were given in the press, but there The temporary were no subsequent reports as to the number who succumbed. barracks in which the settlers were living, lack of hygiene and want of skilled doctors were stated to be the cause.
55. It is too early to judge of the success of the experiments. Newspaper and magazine reports indicate clearly that the settlers have a hard life of it, and at present eke out a bare existence. But the Japanese peasant is inured to a life of toil and these settlers have come from poverty-stricken districts in Japan. It would not be safe, therefore, to take it for granted that they cannot live under these conditions. What would seem to be the main handicap from an economic point of view is that the settler can scarcely hope to be left to till the soil in peace and security. He will have on occasion to defend his life and property against bandits, and it is possible that his services would be requisitioned by the military to assist in suppressing their activities. It may be, then, that the authorities are laying too great a burden on his shoulders. Time only can show.
56. As to the area available for settlement, it is estimated that less than half the cultivable land in Manchukuo is actually under cultivation. It is not clear how much of the balance is good soil. Considerable areas are swampy or alkaline, and have been left by Chinese settlers for that reason. But there must remain districts that have been neglected merely because they have been inaccessible and insecure in the past. There is probably, therefore, more than sufficient virgin soil waiting occupation.
57. It was stated, in introducing this section of the report, that immigra- tion may cause friction in the future. From the present modest beginning it is hoped to expand to a population of 5 millions. Most Manchurian schemes of development are couched in grandiose terms and need to be discounted. But even if we halve the figure, it is doubtful if 23 million colonists can be settled without encroaching on the interests of the existing population. Then the special protection and the special privileges of the Japanese settlers will be likely to
arouse resentment.
58. In order to create homogeneous units, settlers from particular districts in Japan are settled in the same colony in Manchuria. In many cases large sections of Japanese villages are being transplanted, and their settlements are known by the name of the villages from which they came. They are to be model settlements for the enlightenment of the surrounding population. It is to be feared that unless carefully managed they will also be the object of envy and bad- feeling. The serious affray between Korean and Chinese farmers at Wan Pao Shan in 1931 arose out of a dispute over water rights. What happened then is likely to happen again.
59. At the same time it is only fair to state that the Government has laid down rules which it is hoped will prevent injustice to the indigenous population. For the present settlements are to be made in the Sanchiang Province in the extreme north-east corner of Manchuria. The Manchurian Colonisation Company is to work under the supervision of the local Government officials. Committees are to be set up whose duties will be to present for consideration the claims of the local population. Where private land is bought, owners are to be given the fullest opportunity to press their claims for compensation. Those living on the land taken over are either to be given occupation or transferred elsewhere. the local officials show the same zeal as the Government, the worst forms of hard- ship will be avoided. But it still seems that the plans will involve at many of the settlements expropriation and eviction. Undesired transplantation can rarely be accomplished without suffering.
If
60. One result of the vigour with which immigration schemes are being pushed is the remarkable development which is to be seen in the north-east corner of Manchuria. In one year the population of Chiamussu has increased from 50,000 to 74,000, while Mutanchiang has grown up as it were over-night from a village to an important centre. Railways which were built for strategic purposes are proving a source of revenue, and the district generally is regarded as having a promising future.
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