Abstract

The Manchurian Battleground

Neither public pledges by responsible statesmen nor the power of international agreements seem strong enough to stem the imperialistic tendencies of ambitious nations. These tendencies are always carefully disguised, and can always be plausibly explained. In the case of Manchuria, for example, it was told that "Japan has no imperialistic designs. Her interest is solely economic." In former years the thing was done by means of secret treaties and secret protocols looking toward the exploitation and possible partition of the Three Eastern Provinces (Manchuria). While this system was in vogue three wars were fought directly or indirectly over Manchuria, while blood in more than sufficient quantities was spilled on other and less formal occasions.