LEAGUE OF NATIONS
AGENDA: THE JAPANESE INVASION OF
MANCHURIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction of Chairs
Brief Overview of the Committee
Brief Overview of the Committee Topic
Agenda B: The Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
(a) Current Situation
(b) Major Blocs
(c) Past UN Actions
(d) Questions to Consider
Bibliography
Introduction of Chairs
My name is Ahmad Afiq bin Ahmad Hatta. It
will be my utmost pleasure to act as your
president chair for the League of Nations
committee. It is also an honour to attend the
esteemed inaugural model united nations
conference of the Kolej Yayasan Saad
International School. I am a Malaysian
student currently attending the Alice Smith International School Kuala Lumpur, studying
for my Advanced Subsidiary Levels. I have around 3 years of experience with MUN, and a
great respect for its ability to spark thought, ideas, and debate. I find that it is a great
complement to my subjects of Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics. I hope for
nothing other than an enjoyable, stimulating and intense experience during the
conference. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected], or
through Facebook (Afiq Hatta).
Salutations, delegates! My name is Hakim Faizal, I
am in Malaysia, studying for my final year of
iGCSE here in Marlborough College, Johor. In
addition, I’ve became part of the Security Council
in two conferences (MonMUN and TayMUN 2014)
and have received a certificate of “Honorary
Mention” in NISPMUN by the co-chair of DISEC
(who is actually chairing the League of Nations
with me!)I’ve had an amazing experience in my
MUN career so far and will look forward to co-chair my first ever committee and work
with delegates. Delegates should remind themselves that being in a historical committee
such as the League of Nations will guarantee a worthwhile experience for them!
Brief Overview of the Committee
The League of Nations was an international organisation founded in 1920. It was the
brainchild of the American President Woodrow Wilson, a recognized idealist trying to
put forth what was widely known as a “New World Order” - an idea which tried to
remove the “Might is Right” style of international relations at the time. Until its
dissolution in 1946, its sole purpose was the achieval and maintenance world peace. The
idea of creating a supranational governing organization for diplomatic purposes was
fueled by the immediate need to prevent another possible World War (the first of which
was concluded just before in 1917). The League of Nations was to be based in Geneva,
Switzerland. This choice was natural as Switzerland was a neutral country and had not
fought in World War One. No one could dispute this choice especially considering
another international organisation, the Red Cross, was already based in Switzerland.
However, a plethora of structural and organizational issues combined with increased
international tension had lead to its eventual demise. In the committee, we will explore
how these events made this organisation powerless and redundant.
**Note - because of the nature of this committee, the following report will be written
from the perspective of the League of Nations at the time of 1933. Because of this,
details only discovered AFTER the conflict will be omitted. Delegates should read the
following with discretion and critical thought.
Brief Overview of the Committee Topic
**Note - the date of this council on this topic will be during the 10th of December, 1933.
The Japanese Invasion of Manchuria is an ongoing international conflict which had
started in 1931. Currently, Japanese forces have invaded the Chinese north eastern
region of Manchuria, and have established a puppet state which they have named
“Manchukuo”. The time span of which they intend to hold Manchukuo is unknown - they
may hold it indefinitely. The number of belligerents are estimated to be 30,000 to 60,000
men on the Japanese side (of whose members are comprised of the “Kwantung Army”),
and 160,000 men on the Chinese side. The main leaders of the Japanese and Chinese
sides are Hideki Tojo and Zhang Xueling respectively. Japanese forces are advancing
steadily, and in light of the occupation, it is no surprise there are even some defectors to
the Japanese side, including Chinese General Xi Qia.
The Lytton Commision has speculated that the issue seems to be the climax of a range of
long and short term causes, both militaristic and economic. Japan’s aggression seems to
have been sparked by a minor bombing incident on Japan’s South Manchuria Railway
near Mukden, and accusations made against China by Japan has been Japan’s pretext
given to the League as a reason for the invasion. The League questions whether this
incident is a valid reason on Japan’s part to sanction an invasion of this scale. It is
interesting to note that the Japanese military seems to have acted without approval
from both the Japanese Emperor and the Wider Japanese Government. This is most
probably due to the overwhelming power the military have in the Japanese Cabinet.
As of now, Japanese forces seem to have occupied areas such as but not limited
Haicheng, Kaiyuan, Tiehling, Fushun, Szeping-chieh, Changchun, Kuanchengtzu, Yingkou
and Antung. Currently, Japanese forces are moving from the South to the North of
Manchuria. The League stipulates that further advancements would be made as a way to
stimulate Japan’s currently receding economy. Other factors such as socio-economic
influence and Japan’s need for a more self-dependent economy also seem to be a cause
for the occupation.
The League views this invasion as a major threat to International Security. However, the
League’s current preoccupation with Western Europe is admittedly putting a strain on
what limited resources already in the League’s possession. The League of Nations is
trying to reach peace agreements with the Japanese and has put forth proposals to
impose neutral buffer zones alongside Japanese-occupied China, however progress
seems to be limited due to an ever changing political climate in Japan, partly due to the
weakness of the current government and also the increased Japan's militaristic presence
in the area.
Japanese withdrawal from the League seemed imminent and has become a reality.
Unfortunately, Western powers seem to lack an incentive to intervene considering the
geographical difficulty in accessing the area. In addition, the absence of having the USA
as part of the League proves a major difficulty. This is because any and all trade
sanctions placed on Japan by the League would be meaningless as the USA is Japan’s
only major trading partner in the West.
Map of the region:
Key Definitions
Manchuria: A north-eastern region of China bordering Japan and Korea. It is rich not
only in natural mineral resources but also agricultural farmland. A major investment in
this area is the South Manchurian Railway. As a result, land here has been occupied, and
has been the centre of international dispute between China, Russia and Japan.
Manchukuo: The name of the Japanese Puppet State in the Japanese the occupied
regions of Manchuria, established as a puppet state by Japanese forces on September 19,
1931. Nobosuke
Kishi,
later
PM
of
Japanese-occupied Manchuria in the 1930s.
Japan,
oversaw
the
development
of
Kwantung Army: The segment of Japanese Forces mainly responsible for the
Manchurian Invasion.
Chosun Army: A segment of Japanese forces previously stationed as garrison in Korea. It
is known that they are currently also assisting in the occupation of Manchuria.
The Lytton Commision: A British envoy led by Lord Lytton to assess the situation in
Manchuria on behalf of the League of Nations. The party is was expected to return in
1932, however investigation remains in the area on behalf of the League. Current
members are US (Major General Frank Ross McCoy), Germany (Dr. Heinrich Schnee),
Italy (Count Aldrovandi-Marescotti), and France (General Henri Claudel).
The South Manchuria railway: “The South Manchurian Railway, railway line built to
connect what were then the South Manchurian sea towns of Lüshun (Port Arthur) and
Dalian (Dairen) on the Liaodong Peninsula (now combined as the city of Dalian) with the
Chinese Eastern Railway running across Manchuria (now Northeast China) from Chita in
Siberia to the Russian seaport of Vladivostok. The line was a source of friction between
the Chinese, Japanese, and Russians throughout the first half of the 20th century.” Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Mukden Incident - an incident where a section of railway owned by Japan's South
Manchuria Railway was destroyed by the Japanese Independent Garrison Unit of the
29th Infantry Regiment. This occurred at
at 10:20 p.m, September 18, 1931. The
explosion was extremely minor and only a five-foot section on one side of the rail was
damaged. In fact, a train from Changchun passed by the site on this damaged track
without difficulty and arrived at Shenyang at 10:30 p.m. This seems to have been a plan
devised by Kwantung Army Colonel Itagaki Seishiro and Lt. Colonel Ishiwara Kanji.
Agenda B: The Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
The date of Japan’s invasion was September 18, 1931. It is heard that Japanese forces
had managed to take key strategic points in a matter of days. Upon communicating with
the US Secretary of State Stimson, it is his opinion that this was "an aggressive act by
Japan”. His claims refute the idea that the attack was a response in the interests of
self-defense, but rather an attack which was planned from the long term. Minister
Johnson found no evidence that it was the result of accident or the act of minor and
irresponsible officials. He has also stressed that the Japanese military operation in
Manchuria "must fall within any definition of war”. Many in the League are of the
opinion that Japan’s actions have violated under the Kellogg-Briand Pact of August 27,
1928, which bans the use of war as an instrument of national policy.
The League is under pressure. The Secretary General of the League of Nations had been
informed on October 5, 1931, by the US Secretary of State that the “League should stop
at nothing to enforce harsh condemnation for the actions of Japan”. Secretary Stimson
also implied that the actions taken by Japan have clearly breached the clauses and
principles of the Kellogg-Briand Pact and the Nine-Power Treaty, and that all measures
should be taken to show once again that the League is an organization which is in fact,
useful and relevant in today’s state of affairs.
It is clear that Japan’s militaristic side of government has acted perhaps out of order
from the overall Japanese cabinet, Lt Col Hashimoto Kingoro arguing “the only answer to
the issue was expansion of territory”.
(b) Major Blocs
Japan:
The primary aggressor of the conflict, Japan’s occupation seems to have
been fuelled partly by an ever increasing population as well as the need for the rich
resources such as minerals and agricultural land said to have been found in Manchuria.
Japan is a major member of the League and is one of the League’s only links to the far
east. It is important to realize that the Japanese Emperor Hirohito has actually seemed
to have condemned the actions of the Japanese military and has claimed that they have
acted independently of Japanese government. Japan has already left the League in 1933,
insulted at some of the findings of the Lytton Commission.
China:
China has appealed to the League for it to take action against the
occupation of Manchuria. Unfortunately, the unstable political climate in the region has
lead to weakness in resisting the Japanese occupation. Many defectors to the Japanese
from the Chinese side are present. It is also important to note that Manchuria has been
occupied by other foreign powers in the past, such as Russia in the 1900’s.
USA:
Although not a direct member of the League of Nations, the USA plays an
important part in the conflict as it is one of the only close allies in the Pacific region with
the power and influence to intervene in the conflict. Perhaps future solutions should
look to utilizing the USA - however the USA’s current isolationist policy might make it
difficult to execute. In a letter of February 25 to the Secretary General of the League of
Nations, Secretary Stimson stated that the United States was in substantial accord with
the findings and conclusions of the League and it’s Lytton commission.
Great Britain: The issue of Manchuria does not attract a great deal of attention from
Great
/France
Britain and France mainly due to the fact that it doesn’t compromise the
interests of these countries. In addition, the large geographical distance and economic
downturn in Western Europe deems the Manchurian crisis as something that shouldn’t
be concerned with, as much attention in already required locally.
The Soviet Union: Manchuria is a cause of geopolitical tension between Japan the and
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Upon completing their own occupation of the
Manchuria on November 9th, 1900, the area has been subject to local disputes ever
since. The Soviet Union has had major conflict with Japan over Manchuria in 1905.
(c) Previous Actions and Timeline
December 1929 - Depression hits Japan, founding a new interest in investments along
the South Manchurian Railway, leading the Japanese army to bolster their presence in
the region
Thursday, September 10, 1931 - Emperor Hirohito summons Japanese Navy General
Kiyokazu for questioning about the state of military discipline in Manchuria
Thursday, September 17, 1931 - Army Minister General Minami Jiro and Army Chief of
Staff Kanaya Hanzo advise Kwantung Army leader General Honjo Shigeru to heed Tokyo’s
instruction not to proceed with the occupation of Manchuria
Friday, September 18, 1931- The Mukden incident occurs, and Japan blames China
immediately as the aggressor.
Saturday, September 19, 1931 - Chinese resistance lead by Marshal Zhang Xueliang is
crushed promptly by the Japanese, and by morning Japanese forces has already
occupied Mukden and stategic points around the area.. China’s small air force is
destroyed and over 7,000 chinese troops are faced by a mere 500 Japanese soldiears..
The Chinese troops, mostly irregulars or new conscripts, were no match for the
experienced Japanese troops and fled.
Monday, September 21, 1931 - a meeting is held by the Japanese cabinet at the house of
Prime Minister Wakatsuki Reijiro regarding the bolstering of the Kwantung Army troops
by the troops of the Chosun Army of Japan in Korea. Army Minister General Minami Jiro
demands up to 5,000 additional troops, and then audaciously states that he didn’t need
approval from Japanese cabinet as the majority of the Japanese Army Chiefs had already
agreed with him. Foreign Minister Shidehara Kijuro and Finance Minister Inoue
Junnosuke object strongly, voicing fears of increasing international tension and a
misinterpretation of Japan’s actions. The meeting ends inconclusively in the afternoon.
Friday, September 25, 1931 - the League formally begins deliberation on the Mukden
incident and the Manchurian occupation
Monday, October 5, 1931 - China asks the League for the withdrawal of Japanese troops
from Manchuria before the League of Nations meeting on October 13.
February 24, 1933 - The League of Nations demand that Japan leave the state of
Manchuria, in a report backed by information provided by the Lytton Commission. Japan
Leaves the league, taking it as an insult.
(d) Questions to Consider
The issue of Manchuria is plagued with uncertainty and asymmetric information. The
League has shown considerable amounts of influence in a more minor, domestic context,
however it has yet to face a challenge such as this since its creation.
Political
● How will League actions affect the position and stance of Japan in the League?
● Can measures be made to strengthen the political power of the non-militaristic
areas of the Japanese cabinet so that it can control the generals leading the
occupation?
● How can Japan, a major economic power, be dissuaded from leaving the League?
● Can the League enlist the aid of other nations in the region to help intervene in
the conflict?
● Are structural changes in order so that the League’s effectiveness can be
enhanced?
Economic
● How can effective economic sanctions be placed on Japan when the USA is not a
current member of the League?
● Can Japan be appeased economically so that there is no longer a need to occupy
Manchuria?
● Is there a way to compensate for China’s economic losses from the Japanese
occupation?
● To what extent are economic sanctions just short-term goals not suited for
long-term peace?
Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_invasion_of_Manchuria
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/manchuria_1931.htm
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/mukden-incident
https://www.google.com.my/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UT
F-8#q=japanese%20invasion%20of%20manchuria
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/z422tfr
http://ww2timelines.com/japan/incidents/31mukdenincident.htm