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20.
VII.
JAPANESE
IMMIGRATION.
50. Frequent attempta were made by Japanese to colonise
Manchuria under the old régime. One and all ended in failure.
Roughly speaking there were two reasons.
standard of living of the Chinese farmer.
one was the lower
The other was the
hostility of the administration. Now that the second contri-
buting cause of failure is removed, it may be that the first
can be overcome.
$1.
The problem is not an easy one. he Japanese colonist
has to face a harsher climate, totally different living and
working conditions and the competition of the Chinese farmer
who is at home on the soil. As if these handicaps were not
sufficient, he is to be planted in frontier and relatively
out-of-the-way districts where he is subject to bandit raids.
Clearly then he requires special assistance and protection.
But since from Japan's point of view his settlement in Hanch-
uria achieves the twofold object of relieving rural depression
in Japan and of creating a dependable bulwark against external,
and possibly internal, enemies in Manchuria, it is only reason-
able that Japan should take every precaution to ensure that he
has a fair chance to make good. As far as possible this is
being done. The initial cost of settlement is borne by the
Japanese Covernment, facilities are given by the anchoukuo
Government and details are handled by the Manchuria Colonization
Company.
52.
The scheme was initiated in the autumn of 1932. When
the land had been paid for and marked out, pioneers were sent
who made all preparations, the main body of settlers were next
sent for and finally their families were brought over. In this
manner five settlements were made in the north-east salient
of Manchuria between 1932 and 1937.
53.
In the latter year there were 2,367 families and a
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