Chapter 8 fanatical island nation

The "September 18th" incident not only changed the direction of Chinese history, but also changed the course of Japanese historical development.This was unforeseen at the beginning of the incident. The success of the Kwantung Army's aggression in the Northeast stimulated the island nation of Japan like morphine.The reaction of all parties in Japan after the incident is worthy of attention. In 1931, Yasuya Uchida, who took over as the president of the South Manchuria Railway Co., Ltd. (Manchurian Railway for short), participated in the "September 18th" Incident.Not only did he command the staff of the Manchurian Railway to participate in the Kwantung Army's exercises, but he was also the person who most clearly predicted the occurrence of the Manchurian Incident, and even when it would occur.As soon as the incident happened, Manchurian Railway provided all the convenience in transportation.The Kwantung Army Headquarters headed by Shigeru Honjo departed from Lushun by special train, arrived in Shenyang at 11:55 on the 19th, and stationed in Dongtuo Hotel.Within a week, Manchuria produced 6 armored trains for the Kwantung Army.

The sentiment of "loyalty to the monarch and patriotism" that swept across Japan made Japanese public opinion side with fanatical militarists, who in turn accused the Japanese cabinet of "weak" policies. The Kwantung Army was supported by two Japanese divisions stationed in North Korea.After Honjoshige’s request for support, Commander Hayashi Mijuro of the Korean Army sent troops across the Yalu River to support the Kwantung Army from 1:20 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cross-border operation was carried out smoothly. It can be seen that the occupation of Manchuria and Mongolia is the common belief of many Japanese soldiers, which made them cooperate very tacitly, even violating military discipline.Hayashi Mijuro violated the order and sent troops across the border into China, which won applause from the Japanese press, calling him a true patriot.His dangerous transgressions will no longer be severely prosecuted.

The Kwantung Army did not want to withdraw its troops because it had a whole set of plans and a bigger conspiracy. Not only did it not withdraw its troops, but it also organized a puppet government in the occupied areas.The famous head of the Secret Service, Kenji Dohihara, a general of China, served as the "Mayor of Fengtian". This is only a temporary transition, and their ideal is to establish an "independent country" independent of China in the Northeast. On September 22, 1931, Miyake, Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army held a secret meeting with Kanji Ishihara, Seishiro Sakagaki, and Kenji Doihara, and established the policy of establishing an "independent state" in Manchuria with Puyi as the head of state.

Sixty-nine years ago, the Tokyo International Tribunal ruled on responsibility for war.Not only did he absolve the responsibility of the Japanese emperor, but he also absolved the responsibility of the Japanese government, and pushed the responsibility for the war to those young and strong soldiers who planned the conspiracy. Japanese Prime Minister Reijiro Wakaki stated in his memoirs: "When the Kwantung Army attacked Nenjiang, it said it was to protect the Nenjiang Iron Bridge. I thought they would stop when they occupied Nenjiang. But after they occupied Nenjiang, they said they were too close to the enemy. To be safe, we have to cross the East Branch Railway. The Minister of War ordered not to cross the East Branch Railway, but the Kwantung Army has marched to Qiqihar and then marched to Heihe. It is really strange that the Japanese army did not obey the order of the Japanese government.”

However, the continuous promotion of Seishiro Sakagaki, Kanji Ishihara in charge of the Tokyo military headquarters, and the fact that Shigeru Honjo and Hayashi Mijuro were commended proved that the Japanese military department and cabinet not only quickly followed those young soldiers, but also used them skillfully and vigorously praised them. their adventures.Because the military and the cabinet have a common desire to expand the Northeast.The occupation of the Northeast was only the beginning of a larger expansion plan of the Japanese Empire. The "September 18th" incident, which opened the prelude to the largest war in human history, was originally a military operation designed and launched by the young officers of the Japanese Kwantung Army without the formal consent of the Japanese government and the Japanese military. Since then, his arrogance has become increasingly arrogant. On May 15, 1932, a group of fanatical soldiers rushed into the Prime Minister's residence and blatantly killed Prime Minister Inukai Takeshi.At that time, Japanese public opinion even sympathized with the murderer who killed Prime Minister Inukai Takeshi, believing that the mutiny of the fanatical soldiers was due to "noble patriotism and dedication" and "patriotic innocence", and launched a nationwide signature campaign to exonerate the murderer and commute his sentence.

The fanatical militarists regard the occupation of Northeast China as a historic adventure. If they succeed, they will not only open up territories for the Japanese Empire, but also use this prestige to transform Japan's politics, and ultimately dominate Japan's destiny and control the entire country. Japan strapped on their chariots to chase the wild dream of dominating the Pacific and the world. Japanese politicians were worried and nervous at the beginning, and then they were delighted, recognized, followed and cooperated.For Japan, it can be said to be a "mutiny" that led to the loss of control and destruction of the Japanese government system.This is not only a misfortune for China, but also a disaster for Japan. The slogan "Better clean soldiers than corrupt politicians" was also popular in Japan at that time.After Prime Minister Inukai Takeshi was killed, there were no politicians who dared to stand up against the fanatical soldiers, and the subsequent civilian cabinet government became a shrinking regime that feared the soldiers.Only later history proved that the Japanese government has actually become a government under the control of the military. The so-called "clean soldiers" who are keen on expansion and war, such as Hideki Tojo, are in power, which makes Japan lose its basic self-control, and finally leads Japan to toward destruction.