—97—
During the period between September 18th, when the North-Eastern Communications Committee ceased to function, and the date of the creation of the "Manchukuo Ministry of Communications", the Japanese authorities assumed entire responsibility for the administration of the railways.
Other public utilities.Measures of a similar kind, which went beyond those which were necessary for the protection of the lives and property of their nationals, were taken by the Japanese in respect of the public electricity supplies at Mukden and Antung. Also, in the period between September 18th and the establishment of "Manchukuo", the Japanese authorities made changes in the administration and management of the Chinese Government telephone, telegraph and wireless services which would ensure their intimate co-ordination with the Japanese telephone and telegraph services in Manchuria.
Conclusions.Since September 18th, 1931, the activities of the Japanese military authorities, in civil as well as in military matters, were marked by essentially political considerations. The progressive military occupation of the Three Eastern Provinces removed in succession from the control of the Chinese authorities the towns of Tsitsihar, Chinchow and Harbin, finally all the important towns of Manchuria; and following each occupation, the civil administration was re-organised. It is clear that the Independence Movement, which had never been heard of in Manchuria before September 1931, was only made possible by the presence of the Japanese troops.
A group of Japanese civil and military officials, both active and retired, who were in close touch with the new political movement in Japan to which reference was made in Chapter IV, conceived, organised and carried through this movement, as a solution to the situation in Manchuria as it existed after the events of September 18th.
With this object, they made use of the names and actions of certain Chinese individuals, and took advantage of certain minorities among the inhabitants, who had grievances against the former administration.
It is also clear that the Japanese General Staff realised from the start, or at least in a short time, the use which could be made of such an autonomy movement. In consequence, they provided assistance and gave direction to the organisers of the movement. The evidence received from all sources has satisfied the Commission that, while there were a number of factors which contributed to the creation of "Manchukuo", the two which, in combination, were most effective, and without which, in our judgment, the new State could not have been formed, were the presence of Japanese troops and the activities of Japanese officials, both civil and military.
For this reason, the present regime cannot be considered to have been called into existence by a genuine and spontaneous independence movement.
PART II.—THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT OF "MANCHUKUO"
The Organic Law."Manchukuo" is governed in accordance with an Organic Law and a Guarantee Law of Civil Rights. The Organic Law prescribes the fundamental organisation of the governmental organs. It was promulgated by Ordinance No. 1 issued on March 9th, the first year of Tatung (1932).
The Regent is head of the State. All executive power is vested in him, and he has also the authority to overrule the Legislative Council. He is assisted by a Privy Council, which is to advise him upon important affairs.
A characteristic feature of the Organic Law is the separation of governmental power into four divisions or departments: the Executive, the Legislative, the Judicial and the Supervisory.
The Executive Department.The functions of the Executive department are carried out, under the direction of the Regent, by the Premier and the Ministers of State, who together form a State Council or Cabinet. The Premier supervises