The territory of Manchuria and Mongolia is a region remote and isolated on the Continent of Asia. In the records of the past, it is noted that its history is long, and often the country experienced unifications and disruptions within its borders; that the soil of the land is fertile and the people had exhibited honesty and simplicity in their manners and customs. After, however, opening the country to intercourse with outside
countries the population increased in numbers and the products in volume, thus turning the country into a land of abundance and promise.
On the contrary, since the establishment of the Republic following the Revolution of 1911, the military factions of the Eastern Provinces, taking advantage of civil wars in China proper, usurped administrative power having the Three Eastern Provinces brought under their control. Twenty years will have been passed since the revolution, during which time warlords have sprung up in succession who completely disregarding the welfare of the people indulged themselves in greed, extravagance and dissipation. While they were bent upon the pursuit of self-interest and greed, the people, on the other hand, were subjected to extreme torture with burden of over-taxation at the will of the war-lords. As a result the currency system was completely ruined, and the business conditions of the country became stagnant and finally decayed.
At this critical time, again, the war-lords giving rein to sheer ambition, advanced their army south of the Great Wall, thus causing unnecessary strife and killing and wounding a large number of people. Although they met defeat many a time, never did they come to a realization of their own folly. They lost the faith and respect of the foreign powers. They engaged in wars with neighbouring countries. With utter disregard of the spirit of friendliness and cordiality of foreign countries, they encouraged anti-foreign movements.
Laxity in the police administration provoked disturbances in the country permitting ravages by thieves and bandits. The acts of looting, arson and massacre by these lawless elements drove the entire population to terror exposing them to hunger in all corners of the country. To leave these thirty million people of Manchuria and Mongolia in their hands means their exposure to atrocity and lawlessness and finally to their extinction. It is the peoples' desire to extricate themselves from this extreme danger and horror. Happily through the aid of the army of a neighbouring country, it was made possible to expel these corrupt elements from the area where they had built a stronghold for many years past. Thus the home of misrule and corruption is now put to a thorough cleaning. This we believe is a Heaven-sent opportunity to the people of Manchuria and Mongolia for their resurrection. We should rise to the occasion and strive for our regeneration and rebirth with courage and determination.
In turning our eyes to China proper we have noted the rival war-lords engaged in intermittent warfare ever since the revolution took place. In late years despotic rule over the country was exercised by one party alone. Under the guise of the Three Principles of the People, the people are put to death in the name of Min-shen, their leaders are bent upon seeking only their self-interest and greed in the name of Min-chuan, and further in their eyes there is nothing but their own party, although they profess the principle of Min-tsu. In this manner, though they profess that the country is ruled with fairness and equality, the practice of the party leaders is in utter contradiction to what they profess, thus not only deceiving themselves but the people at the same time.
Of late years, internal strife has become frequent, rivals aiming to partition each other's territory. It is to be noted that even the existence of the party itself is now in danger. In these circumstances, it is impossible to expect from them any consideration for the national welfare. At this time the country is overrun by Communist bands whose venomous influence is fast eating into the flesh of the people and the very heart of the national government. Facing these deplorable conditions we are compelled to look back to the days of the Ching and Min dynasties and also of the Yao and Shun, and lament the fact how distantly we have departed from the golden age in our history. The fact should be noted that this feeling of ours is equally shared by friendly nations abroad.
The result of twenty long years' experiences has convincingly taught us that we must bravely face the realities and take the task upon ourselves to reform our national life and seek the revival of the old golden age. The fact must be borne in mind, however, that evil influences are still with us, and should we evade the issue at this time and fail to check the spread of Communism, it is too obvious that the destruction of the nation is inevitable. At this critical moment, unless the people of Manchuria and Mongolia awake to a realization of the heaven-given opportune call for their liberation from the most corrupt political state their extinction will be also inevitable.
After thorough deliberations for several months past at a number of meetings by the leaders of Feng-tien, Kirin, Heilung-kiang and Jehol Provinces, Harbin Special District and those under various banners of Mongolia, they have come to the conclusion by unanimity to adopt a practical application of good rule rather than a display of words in the administration of state affairs. Under whatever form of government, the primary duty of the state is to give assurance of peace and security to the people.
Manchuria and Mongolia had been in the past a separate state detached from China proper. By necessity of the present situation we are in a position to strive for national independence. With the will of the thirty million people, we hereby declare on this day that we sever our relations with the Republic of China and establish the State of Manchu-Kuo, and that we hereby make a public proclamation of the fundamental principles on which this new state is established.
It is believed that statecraft is founded upon the principle of Tao, or the Way, and Tao is founded upon Tien, or Heaven. The principle on which this new state is founded is to follow Tien, or Heaven, and the people shall have peace and security. The government must conform to the will of the people and no personal views permitted to prevail in the affairs of the state.
There shall be no discrimination among those people who now reside within the territory of the new state with respect to race and creed, including the races of the Hans, Manchus, Mongols, Japanese and Koreans; nationals of other countries may upon application as permanent residents acquire equal treatment with others and their rights shall be guaranteed thereby.
The internal policies shall be to reject the policies adopted in the dark days of the past, to revise laws and enforce local autonomy, to draft able men into the service of the government and elevate officers deserving promotion, to encourage industry, unify the currency system, open up the natural resources, maintain the standard of living, adjust and regulate the administration of the police, eliminate banditry, and to further promote and popularize education, to respect Li-chiao, the teachings of Confucianism and to apply to principle of Wan-tao Chi-i and practice its teachings. Thus it is designed to give the people enlightenment who live within the state and maintain the honour of perpetuating the peace of Eastern Asia, thus setting a model example of good government to the world.
The foreign policies of the new state shall be to seek and further promote cordial relations with foreign powers, winning their faith and respect, and to strictly observe international conventions. The debt obligations accruing within the territory of Manchuria by treaty stipulations with various countries prior to the establishment of the new state shall be acknowledged according to the usual international conventions. Foreign investments by all nationalities uniformly shall be acknowledged according to the usual international conventions. Foreign investments by all nationalities uniformly shall be welcomed for the furtherance of trade and exploitation of natural resources, thus bringing the principles of the open door and equal opportunity and the like to a fuller realization.
The foregoing articles thus proclaimed are the fundamental principles concerning the establishment of the new state, and the government hereby declare on oath to the thirty million people, with sincerity and faith, that these shall be fulfilled.