893.01 Manchuria/1029
The Consul General at Mukden (Myers) to the Minister in China (Johnson)33
Sir: As of possible interest, I have the honor to report on the gradual change in the sentiment of the people toward the new regime. Although no extensive survey of this matter has been attempted, the information on which these observations are based was obtained from competent and presumably unbiased observers, both Chinese and foreign. The situation described herein pertains primarily to this province.
Generally speaking, it may be safely said that the sentiment of the people living in cities has become noticeably more favorable to the new regime than a year or more ago. The increasing stability of the new order and the progress made in bandit suppression during the past year have resulted in the practical disappearance of the feeling of uncertainty which prevailed for at least one and one-half years following the “incident” of September 18, 1931. Business, especially in the interior, has greatly improved. Although it may be said that the above generalization is true, it does not mean that the intelligent people of “Manchukuo” do not realize that their country is dominated by Japan nor indicate that they welcome or like this alien domination; rather it seems that this sentiment denotes a philosophical acceptance of an altered status which is bringing in its wake many material benefits and which there appears to be little or no prospect of changing. An unbiased Chinese briefly summarized the situation as follows: No one believes that any change in the existing situation can be effected internally by force; no one has faith in China doing anything; no one desires a return of the former regime; there is a growing appreciation of what the present regime is doing for the people. A foreigner in close touch with the Chinese expressed the opinion that they are beginning to realize that they are better off than under the old regime. Among the reforms which are widely understood and appreciated may be mentioned the stabilization and unification [Page 25] of the currency, increased official probity and public works, extensive road building being possibly the best known.
Among the country folk there has been little or no change of feeling according to available information. Chinese propaganda and fear of Japanese troops, instilled by insurgents and bandits in the minds of the country people who are subconsciously hostile to anything foreign, have undoubtedly been factors in keeping alive an anti-“Manchukuo” feeling. Ignorance—a farmer replied to a query of a missionary that his thoughts did not go beyond his two acres—and low grain prices must have a similar effect. Observers believe, however, that increasing security and good roads are beginning to be appreciated. But it is the establishment of the monarchy with P’u Yi as Emperor which is being widely heralded throughout the country that seems likely to influence opinion of the country folk in favor of the new regime more than anything else. (Reference my confidential despatch No. 888 of January 24, 1934,34 entitled “P’u Yi to be Enthroned as Emperor of ‘Manchukuo’ on March 1, 1934.”)
A few instances indicating this changing sentiment may be of interest. From a reliable source it has been learned that the graduates of mission schools who for at least one year after September 18, 1931, planned only on going to China in search of employment are now seeking and accepting positions in the new government. At the outset public opinion would have condemned this step but now it is accepted as a matter of course. A well-educated Chinese professional man who has no Japanese associations and who is looked upon as having good judgment and much common sense returned some time ago from a visit to his home in the interior of Shantung. He stated that Manchuria is a tabooed subject in Shantung by official order and expressed the opinion that as far as China is concerned it is a closed issue and that Chinese residing in Manchuria should govern themselves accordingly.
In the opinion of a well-informed observer there is a fairly large body of educated Chinese in Manchuria who are extremely critical of the new regime’s policy regarding opium35 and education. They are said to condemn the opium monopoly which has greatly increased opium smoking and regard with serious misgivings the small amount of money devoted to education and the failure to reopen the higher middle schools and other higher schools of learning. It has been learned that with the exception of the First Higher Middle School at Mukden (it has only one class with 58 students), the higher technical middle schools and normal schools no schools above the lower middle schools have been reopened in Fengtien Province. The total [Page 26] attendance at the 41 provincial schools in Mukden was recently reported in the press as 20,231—the city’s population is approximately 400,000. That the Japanese have not overlooked the important part played by schools in moulding public opinion is indicated by the promptness with which text books were revised and by the sending of selected youths from time to time to Japan—about 300 Manchurians are reported to be studying in Japan—for further training. According to a recent “Manchoukuo News Service” report a new educational program will be inaugurated at the time of the establishment of the monarchy which “will lay emphasis on the exaltation and propagation of the spirit of national founding among the younger generation.” My informant expressed the view that the reactions of this body of Chinese are of some potential importance especially as they have close connections in China.
Respectfully yours,