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 certain rights over a narrow strip of land, which extends beyond the Leased Territory, and which contains the lines of the South Manchuria Railway. The total area is only 108 square miles, whereas the length of the lines is 690 miles.

The soil of Manchuria is generally fertile, but its development is dependent on transportation facilities. Many important towns flourish along its rivers and railways. Formerly, development was practically dependent on the river system, which is still of much importance, though the railways have now taken the first place as a means of transport. The production of important crops. such as soya beans, kaoliang, wheat, millet, barley, rice, oats, has doubled in fifteen years. In 1929, these crops were estimated at over 876,000,000 bushels. According to estimates given in the Manchurian Year-Book, 1931, only 12.6 per cent of the total area has been brought under cultivation in 1929. whereas ﬂat per cent was cultivable. A large increase of production may therefore be expected in the future if economic conditions improve. The total value of the agricultural products of Manchuria for the year 1928 was estimated at over £130,000,000 sterling. A large part of the agricultural produce is exported. Pongee or tussah silk is another important article of export from Manchuria.

The mountainous regions are rich in timber and minerals, especially coal. Important deposits of iron and gold are also known to exist, while large quantities of oil shale, dolomite, magnesite. limestone, fireclay, steatite, and silica of excellent quality have been found. The mining industry may therefore be expected to become of great importance.

Manchuria has, since the dawn of history, been inhabited by various Tungus tribes, who mixed freely with Mongol Tartars. Under the influence of Chinese immigrants of superior civilisation they learned to organise themselves and established several kingdoms which sometimes dominated the greater part of Manchuria and some northern districts in China and Korea. The Liao. Chin, and Manchu Dynasties even conquered large parts or the whole of China over which they ruled for centuries. China, on the other hand. under strong emperors, was able to stem the tide from the North, and in her turn to establish sovereignty over large parts of Manchuria. Colonisation by Chinese settlers was practised at a very early date. Various Chinese towns which radiated the influence of Chinese culture through the surrounding districts date from the same early time. For two thousand years a permanent foothold has been maintained, and Chinese culture has always been active in the southernmost part of Manchuria. The influence of this culture had become very strong during the rule of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). whose authority extended over practically the whole of Manchuria. The. Manchus were. permeated by Chinese culture and had amalgamated to a great extent with the Chinese before they overthrew the Ming administration in Manchuria in 1616. and in 1628 passed the Great Wall to conquer China. In the Manchu Army were large numbers of Chinese who were organised in separate military units known as Chinese Banners.

After the conquest, the Manchus quartered their garrisons in the more important cities of China, forbade Manchus to engage in certain professions, prohibited intermarriage between Manchus and Chinese, and restricted the immigration of Chinese into Manchuria and Mongolia. These measures were inspired more by political than by racial discrimination. and aimed at safeguarding the permanent dominance of the dynasty. They did not