STILL CONFIDENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 9

STILL CONFIDENT

CHIANG KAI-SHEK

REPLY TO JAPANESE TERMS

"Final victory will be ours, v General Chiang Kai-Shek declared when addressing a weekly memorial gathering. He commented on the statement made by Prince Konoye on December 22 and declared that the Japanese peace proposals meant the enslavement of China, whereas the foundations of a new and prosperous China were beirfg laid by those who were fighting the war of resistance against Japan. He also said that the Japanese claim that the war was to stamp out Communism was merely a pretext to annex China.

The following extracts from the Generalissimo's speech have been cabled to the Chinese Consul-General in Wellington:—

"Prince , Konoye's statement on December 22 completely reveals the enemy's device and dream to annex China, to dominate East Asia, and to conquer the world. As regards Japan's aim to establish a new order in East Asia and to form a tripartite relationship of mutual aid and co-ordination, this virtually amounts to creating an enslaved China, to asking China to join up with Manchukuo and both to be under the mastership of Japan.

"Respecting Prince Konoye's statement to form an economic bloc, it is clearly seen from this that Japan's intention is to control the whole of China's finances and resources. His announcement of the so-called 'Prosper Asian Council' is tantamount to creating a headquarter for the carrying out of Japan's plans for the complete subjugation of China."

Generalissimo Chiang then commented on the following, four points:—

(1) If Japan's plan of creating a new order in East Asia is carried out, her enslavement of China will be complete and the whole of China's territory and resources will be in Japan's hands, and therefore there will be no need for Japan to demand a cession of territory and an indemnity, and her offer to give up extraterritorial rights and concessions would amount to nothing.

(2) Regarding Japan's request for the common defence against Communism, Generalissimo Chiang said: "At present China is following the 'Three People's Principles' of Dr. Sun Vat-sen, and Japan is therefore 'shooting without a target.' Japan uses Communism merely as a pretext to station troops in North China, and to designate Inner Mongolia as a special anti-Communist area."

(3) In regard to granting the right of Japan to free residence and trade in China, this virtually would amount to giving the Japanese an opportunity of carrying out their evil designs and work in all parts of China.

(4) Adverting to Japan's desire for the blending ol the two peoples,

Generalissimo Chiang stated: "This i equivalent to asking the Chinese peopl to become absorbed by the Japanes and thus to destroy for ever China independence." Finally, Generalissimo Chiang sai( "The enemy is endeavouring to temi us to compromise in the middle of ov war of resistance. We should not fa into his net. Our war of resistant has lasted for a year and a half, an the foundation of a new and prosperoi China has been laid. The enemy di sires us to close our door to foreig interests and to renounce all treat obligations, but we should uphold Ol honour with unflinching determinatld because we know that in this war < resistance we are fighting for rig! versus wrbng and right versus migh If we persevere in our fight, final vl tory will be ours."