CHINA RESOLVED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 January 1939, Page 5

CHINA RESOLVED

CHIANG KAFSHEK’S REPLY TO JAPAN PROPOSALS DECISIVELY REJECTED. COMMUNISM BEING USED AS PRETEXT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. WELLINGTON, This Day. The following (according to a cablegram received by the Chinese ConsulGeneral in Wellington) are the most important points of a speech delivered by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in reply to the statement made by the Japanese Premier, Prince Konoye, on December 22 defining Japan’s peace terms and intentions for establishing a new order in East Asia: — “Prince Konoye’s statement 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 to subjecting both to the mastership of Japan. “Regarding Japan’s intentions to form an economic bloc, it is clearly seen from this that Japan’s desire is to control the whole of China’s fin/ ances and resources. Prince Konoye’s announcement of the so-called “Proper Asian Council” is tantamount to creating a headquarters for the carrying out of Japan’s plans for the complete subjugation of China.” “Generalissimo Chiang then emphasised the following four points:— (1) If Japan’s plan for 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 a common defence against Communism, Generalissimo Chiang said that at present China was following the “Three People’s Principles” of Dr Sun YatSen, and Japan was 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) Commenting on Japan’s desire for the blending of the two peoples, Generalissimo Chiang stated that this was equivalent to asking the Chinese people to become absorbed by the Japanese and thus to destroy for ever China’s independence.

Finally, Generalissimo Chiang said: “The enemy is endeavouring to tempt us to compromise in the middle of our war of resistance. We should not fall into his net. Our war of resistance has lasted for a year and a half, and the foundation of a new and prosperous China has been laid.

“The enemy desires us to close our door to foreign interests and to renounce all treaty obligations, but we should uphold our honour with unflinching determination because we know that in this war of resistance we are fighting for right versus wrong and right versus might. If we persevere in our fight, final victory will be ours.”