Japan and Caucasian Émigré Forces Ë 139
Ukrainian National Republic), both prominent Promethean activists, along with two
Georgians, Simon Mdivani (1876–1937) and “Zachariadze” (General Aleksander Za-
khariadze [1884–1957], the former chief of the General Sta of the Georgian army).
(It was reported that at this meeting the chief of the Polish Dwójka [second depart-
ment, i.e., military intelligence], Teodor Frugalski, and Lieutenant Colonel Stefan
Mayer were also present, a report later vehemently denied by the Poles.)⁴⁷Clearly the
Japanese were interested in the political-military issues of Ukraine and Georgia.
Although Poland did not o cially recognize Manchukuo, a product of Japanese
imperialism, the Polish-sponsored Promethean movement enthusiastically supported
it. Its organ declared in the autumn of 1932: “In this time of anxiety, pessimism, per-
haps even discouragement we are experiencing, Japan’s o cial recognition of the in-
dependence of Manchukuo is an event that commands attention and does not fail to
delight all friends of the liberty of peoples.” China, torn by internecine wars, was nei-
ther a state nor a nation. There was little bond among its peoples regarding race, lan-
guage, or religion. China was “chaos and anarchy.” Under these circumstances, the
“danger of Soviet Russia” was all important. It had already conquered Outer Mongolia
and had Manchuria in its sights. The new state of Manchukuo, with a population of
thirty million and supported morally and materially by a great power (Japan), was an
“international personality.” The most important issue was the “liberty of the Manchu
people itself.”⁴⁸
Mukhamed-Gaiaz Iskhaki (Iskhakov, (Gayaz Isxaqiy, Ayaz Ishaki, Gaiaz Iskhakyi,
1878–1954), a leader of émigré Muslims from Kazan and Promethean activist, was even
more enthusiastic about Manchukuo. In an essay published in Japan in 1934, he em-
phasized the historical struggle of Manchus and Mongols for liberation from Russia
and China. He characterized Manchukuo as championing the culture of oriental peo-
ples and Japan as providing spiritual and material support to ensure peace in the Far
East. The peoples in Manchuria, according to Iskhaki, felt rejuvenated by the founda-
tion of Manchukuo. Iskhaki added that there were approximately two million Muslims
(and ten thousand Turco-Tatars) in the new state. His goal was to support the new
country on all fronts and to become a happy witness to the “uni cation and fusion
of our Islamic culture and Far Eastern culture.” At the same time Iskhaki promoted
the idea of independence for Idel-Ural (Volga-Ural): just as it was logical for non-Han
47 CAW, I.303.4.5515 (February 1933 report). See also Hiroaki Kuromiya and Paweł Libera, “Notatka
Włodzimierza Bączkowskiego na temat współpracy polsko-japońskiej wobec ruchu prometejskiego
(1938).”Zeszyty historyczne, v. 169 (Paris, 2009), 120.
48 Editorial: “L’indépendance de la Mandchourie,”Prométhée, no. 71 (October 1932), 1–2. Speaking in
1935 at a conference of Caucasian political parties supporting the Promethean movement, Noe Zhor-
daniia was supportive of Japan’s move, stating that the pressure of the 160-million strong country (the
Soviet Union) was a “threat to the very survival of Japan as an independent country.” Mamoulia, ed.,
Kavkazkaia Konfederatsiia, 118.