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The view of the "Manchukuo Government" regarding the Customs.The "Manchukuo Government" maintains that, since "Manchukuo" is an independent State, it exercises, of right, complete jurisdiction over the Customs administration of its territory. But it has stated that, in view of the fact that various foreign loans and indemnities were based upon the Chinese Customs revenue, it is prepared to pay its equitable proportion of the annual sums necessary to meet these obligations. It hopes that, after depositing this amount in the Yokohama Specia Bank, there will be a Customs surplus for 1932–33 available for local use of about $19,000,000 silver.
The Postal Administration in Manchuria.The Japanese military authorities in Manchuria, after September 18th, did not greatly interfere with the Post Office, apart from exercising a certain censorship of newspapers and letters. After the establishment of "Manchukuo", the Government desired to take over the postal services of the territory, and appointed, on April 14th, special officers to take charge of the transfer of the Postal Administration. On April 24th, it applied for permission to join the International Post Union, for which it has not yet qualified.
As the Postal Commissioners refused to surrender their offices, the status quo was for some time respected, although "Manchukuo" supervisors were placed in certain offices with a view to exercising a measure of control. The "Manchukuo Government", however, finally decided to issue its own stamps and to discontinue the use of the Chinese stamps. By ordinance of the Ministry of Communications of July 9th, it informed the public that the new stamps and cards would be offered for sale on August 1st. At this stage, the Chinese Government ordered the Postal Commissioners to close the office in Manchuria and to give the staff the choice of receiving three months' pay or of returning to designated bases in China for service at other places. The "Manchukuo" authorities, in turn, offered to take into their service all the postal employees who wished to remain, and promised to guarantee their financial and other rights acquired under the Chinese Administration. On July 26th, the "Manchukuo Government" took over completely the postal service throughout Manchuria.
The treatment of private property.The "Manchukuo Government" has stated that it will respect private property and all concessions awarded by either the Central Government of China or by the former Government of Manchuria, provided the concessions were legally granted in accordance with the laws and regulations previously in force. It has also promised to pay the lawful debts and obligations of the former administration and has appointed a Commission to pass upon claims of indebtedness. In regard to the properties belonging to Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang and some of the other prominent leaders of the former regime, it is yet too early to state what action will be taken. According to Chinese official reports, all the personal property of Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, General Wan Fu-lin, General Po Yu-lin, and certain others has been confiscated. The "Manchukuo" authorities, however, take the view that, since the former Government officials used their power to amass wealth for themselves, they are not yet prepared to recognise property thus acquired as properly "private property". A careful investigation is being made of the possessions of the former officials. This is reported to have been finished as far as Bank deposits are concerned.
Comments.Having thus described the organisation of the "Manchukuo Government", its programme, and some of the measures it has taken to affirm its independence from China, we must state our conclusions regarding its operations and its principal characteristics.
