FO371-23515 — Page 275

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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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