Manchurian Railways and the Opening of China. an International History

Bruce A. Elleman and Stephen Kotkin, eds. Manchurian Railways and Opening of China. An International History. New York and London: M.E. Sharpe, 2009. 235 pp. Maps. Selected bibliography. Index. $24.95, paper.The photograph on cover of this book depicts wide platform of Harbin Station on Chinese Eastern (CER). On one side we can see back of graceful Art Nouveau station building-now long gone-and on other line of train carriages waiting for a signal to depart. A few Russians and Chinese stand or stroll along platform. CER with its major junction at Harbin in many ways dominated history of Northeast China, and photograph, taken most likely shortly before 1917 Revolution or in early 1920s, provides a most apt illustration to this collection of articles by prominent scholars in field.As Preface by Stephen Kotkin, a specialist on contemporary history and international affairs, states, subject of collection is role CER and South- Manchurian (SMR) played in opening of China and its development in twentieth century. Introduction by Bruce A. Elleman, Elisabeth Koll, and Y. Tak Matsusaka emphasizes further that the dynamics of imperialism contrast sharply with nation-building role commonly attributed to railway (p. 7). book is not a random selection of articles on this topic, but is constructed to present, in chronological order, key stages of the trajectory from imperialism to national consolidation (p. 104).The four articles in Part I, Competing Imperialisms, trace construction of CER, loss of its southern branch to Japan and subsequent establishment of SMR, rivalry, as well as military and political conflict of 1929. S. C. M. Paine, an expert on Sino-Russian and Sino-Japanese relations, as well as on naval warfare and strategy, opens collection. His The Chinese Eastern from First Sino-Japanese Until Russo-Japanese War sets stage by presenting in some detail goals, political and strategic rational, and political manoeuvres which led to construction of CER in 1898-1903; impact of 1900 Boxer Rebellion; and loss of southern branch to Japan after Russo-Japanese (1904-1905). narrative is picked up by Y. Tak Matsusaka, whose earlier work focused on Japanese Manchuria. His South Manchuria Company in Northeast China, 1906- 1934 discusses Japan's policies and activities via SMR Company and role played in Japan's imperial designs on area. His analysis takes readers up to formation of Manchukuo with SMR providing bones and sinews of puppet state in China.The next article, Sino-Soviet Tensions and Soviet Administrative Control over Chinese Eastern Railway, 1917-1929, is by Bruce A. Elleman, author of books on Sino- Soviet diplomatic relations, modern warfare in Asia, and communist power in China. He takes readers back to geostrategic importance of CER and efforts of Soviet Union to retain former Tsarist possession via diplomatic negotiations, secret protocols, and crucial agreements on joint administration of CER. conflict is further examined in article that follows: Railway As Political Catalyst: Chinese Eastern and 1929 Conflict by Felix Patrikeef, a scholar known for his works on Hong Kong and on conflicts in Northeast China. …

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