COMBATING COMMUNISTS

Chronicle (Levin), 11 October 1947, Page 5

COMBATING COMMUNISTS

(N.Z.P.A.-

— Reuter s

Chiang Kai-Shek Appeals To His People

Copyright)

Reeeived Friday, 7.25 p.m. • NANKING, Oct. 9. Generalissimo Chiang Ivai-shek issued a statement tonigbt appealing to the nation to cooperate with the Government in eombating the Conimunists' onslaught against the Nanking regime. He said: "The insidious and treacherous aets of the Communists have reacned new _extrem.es in feroeity and rutnlessness. Although the Communist rebels have been defeated in the .Shantung peninsula, the slightest neglect on the part of Government troops or administrative offieials, will give them a ehance to become aetive again. At any moment they mav instigate riots in villages or strikes in eities. Their treacherous acts can be forestalled only if the Government and the people will work together with a determination to complete our task of quelling the rebellion and rebuilding the eountry. " Chiang added that the Communists were seelting "t'he total despoilation of China's territorial sovereignty" in Manchuria. Meanwhile the Communist radio m North Shensi broadcast a statement by the eommander-in-chief of the Red Ariny, General Chu Teh, deselaring that the Communist programme ealled for the arrest, trial and punishment ot Chiang on a eharge of being "the ehiet eivil war criminal". "We will not lightlv yield one .single ineh of Manchurian territory to the rebels," said Chiang. He had just returned from a Manchurian inspection trip to take part in China's national holiday eommemorating the anniversary of the Chinese Republie. He urged the people to diseard bad habits, laxity and extravaganee. "Salvation or the ruin of our nation depeiul entirely on our efforts today," he added.