WANG CHING-WEI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1940, Page 5

WANG CHING-WEI

INSTALLED AS PUPPET RULER DENOUNCED AS TRAITOR IN CHUNGKING. REFUSAL OF AMERICAN RECOGNITION. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. NEW YORK, March 30. jlhe American united Press Nanking correspondent says that Wang Ching-Wei with elaborate ceremonies was installed as head of the so-called National Government. Shungking reports that President Lin Sen radioed an appeal for the destruction of the “traitor’-’ Wang. There were demonstrations all day at which effigies of Wang and the members of his entourage were burned in the middle of the city. Shanghai has been converted into an armed camp as a precaution against outbreaks of nationalist terrorism, threatened as a protest against Wang’s inauguration. The American United Press Tokio correspondent says a source close to Mr Arita told him that Japan "hopes the United States will accept the new National Government in a spirit of goodwill.” The “New York Times” Washington’ correspondent says officials anticipate that the policy of non-recognition of the territory gained forcibly as applied in the case of Manchukuo, Abyssinia, Albania and the countries occupied by i Germany will not be altered in respect of Wang Ching-Wei. Commenting that the United States’ attitude towards the use of armed force as an instrument of national policy was well known, Mr Cordell Hull announced that America would continue to recognise the Chiang Kai-Shek Government. He added: “There is ample reason to believe it is supported by the great majority of Chinese.” Referring to Japanese statements that Japan intends to respect the political independence of China, he commented: “To this Government the circumstances attending the setting up of the new regime in Nanking do not seem consistent with such an intention.” The Chungking Foreign Office sent a Noto to the Embassies: “Wang’s Government is a gang of slaves in utter moral depravity.” It disclaimed in perpetuity all Wang’s undertakings and warned that recognition would be considered a most unfriendly act. It added that it was determined to expel the invaders.

JAPANESE HOPES CO-OPERATION OF POWERS SOUGHT. “PEACE IN EAST ASIA.” (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 31. The Japanese Embassy has issued a statement emphasising the Imperial Government’s (support for the new Central Government in China and hoping that the Powers will forthwith contribute towards the establishment of peace in East Asia. The statement said: Japan has no intention of excluding such peaceful economic activities of third Powers as conform to the new situation. On the contrary it desires to co-operate with these Powers and share with them the benefits of international amity. Renascent China has started on the road to progress, but Japan will not lay down her arms until the remaining pro-Communist and antiJapanese forces awaken from their illusory dreams.”