![CHURCHILL, Winston S. Draft typescript signed ("Winston S. Churchill"), undated and untitled article on tensions between Russia, Japan and China [ca. 1931]. 7 pages, 4to, WITH CHURCHILL'S EXTENSIVE AUTOGRAPH REVISIONS in red ink, signed in red ink (some smudging of signature), punch hole top left corner, pencil note in another hand at top ("For Mr. Ranck").](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/NYR/2012_NYR_02572_0178_000(churchill_winston_s_draft_typescript_signed_undated_and_untitled_artic123218).jpg?w=1)
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CHURCHILL, Winston S. Draft typescript signed ("Winston S. Churchill"), undated and untitled article on tensions between Russia, Japan and China [ca. 1931]. 7 pages, 4to, WITH CHURCHILL'S EXTENSIVE AUTOGRAPH REVISIONS in red ink, signed in red ink (some smudging of signature), punch hole top left corner, pencil note in another hand at top ("For Mr. Ranck").
"TODAY CHINA IS THE ASIATIC BALKANS" -- CHURCHILL WEIGHS THE IMPACT OF JAPAN'S INVASION OF MANCHURIA IN 1931
Churchill sees a "vexatious dilemma" in Japan's bloody actions in Manchuria in the autumn of 1931. This was one of a series of think pieces he penned on world affairs for the American market, and he sees a dilemma between the need for checking communism and lawlessness in Manchuria on the one hand and a threat to world peace on the other.
On 18 September the Japanese Kwantung Army staged a few weak explosions along the Manchurian railway line as the pretext for killing 500 Chinese soldiers at Mukden the following day, followed by the creation of their puppet regime at Manchuko. Churchill takes the side of the Japanese, seeing them as "the champions of law and order, and indeed its sole guarantee." The Chinese, on the other hand, "resemble too closely in some instances self-decorated banditti...In this chaotic and disordered world, the statesmen must welcome the preservation of law and order in any corner." But China appealed to the League of Nations and Japan received universal criticism for its actions. The League's fundamental principle of the peaceful resolution of international disputes was at issue. "Japan is technically in the wrong," Churchill concedes, "but practically and morally she stands for civilization, and a far better chance of life for many millions of Chinese....The civilized world has never been without a Balkans," he quips, and "today China is the Asiatic Balkans."
"TODAY CHINA IS THE ASIATIC BALKANS" -- CHURCHILL WEIGHS THE IMPACT OF JAPAN'S INVASION OF MANCHURIA IN 1931
Churchill sees a "vexatious dilemma" in Japan's bloody actions in Manchuria in the autumn of 1931. This was one of a series of think pieces he penned on world affairs for the American market, and he sees a dilemma between the need for checking communism and lawlessness in Manchuria on the one hand and a threat to world peace on the other.
On 18 September the Japanese Kwantung Army staged a few weak explosions along the Manchurian railway line as the pretext for killing 500 Chinese soldiers at Mukden the following day, followed by the creation of their puppet regime at Manchuko. Churchill takes the side of the Japanese, seeing them as "the champions of law and order, and indeed its sole guarantee." The Chinese, on the other hand, "resemble too closely in some instances self-decorated banditti...In this chaotic and disordered world, the statesmen must welcome the preservation of law and order in any corner." But China appealed to the League of Nations and Japan received universal criticism for its actions. The League's fundamental principle of the peaceful resolution of international disputes was at issue. "Japan is technically in the wrong," Churchill concedes, "but practically and morally she stands for civilization, and a far better chance of life for many millions of Chinese....The civilized world has never been without a Balkans," he quips, and "today China is the Asiatic Balkans."