ABSTRACT
EVIL had definitely gained the upper hand, and it is probable that in future histories the gallant struggle of the HamaguchiWakatsuki Cabinet will be hardly mentioned, and we shall read of the eating up of China as though it were a huge but orderly meal. While these things are still recent, however, it is right to interrupt the narrative to tell of these domestic events. We may also with advantage glance at matters that have since become almost irrelevant; for while the Mukden railway incident and the seizure of the strategic points were all carefully planned, there was no very definite plan as to what was to happen after that, except that throughout Manchuria Japan was to rule and that Manchurian resources should enrich Japan. The spiriting away of Henry Pu Yi from Tientsin to Mukden pointed to a definite idea not merely of creating a new State with a puppet ruler, but also to the possibility of eventually placing that ruler on the throne of his ancestors at Peking. The latter consummation has not been attained at the time of writing and may be abandoned; but if events had shown that it was impracticable to install the heir of the Manchus as ruler of Manchuria, the earlier plan would also have been thrown aside, along with the puppet. There were many schemes, among which opportunity made its selection.
