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21.

population of 4,245 persons cultivating an area of about 7,500

hectares. The cost of settlement averaged Yen 1,400 per house-

hold so we may take it that the initial costs of the experi-

ment are about 3 million yen. When it is considered that the

Chinese settler costs the government little or nothing, it must

be admitted that the experiment is a costly one. If on the other

hand the first settlers prosper, successive waves of immigrants

can presumably be brought over more cheaply. The Japanese

Government is reported to be vastly pleased with the results to

date and to be planning to settle 1,000,000 households in the

next twenty years.

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 settle-

ments in the summer of 1938 when an outbreak of dysentery aff-

licted 600 out of 1,000 settlers. These figures were given in

the press but there were no subsequent reports as to the number

who succumbed. The temporary barracks in which the settlers

were living, lack of hygiene and want of skilled doctors were

stated to be the cause.

56. It is too early to judge of the success of the experi---

ments. 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

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