TO BITTER END.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 7

TO BITTER END.

CHIANG'S MANIFESTO. Fight for Existence and Righteousness. CHINESE SACRIFICES. (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Chinese Consul has received a cablegram from Hankow embodying a manifesto issued by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek to the Chinese nation. It states: "The sacrifices Me have made in fighting a defensive war have been unparalleled in our history. As long as 1 have at least a breath in me I will sacrifice to the utmost limits and will continue to resist the enemy until final victory is achieved. "J he enemy lias captured Nanking. I heir object is to conquer China. At the present time we should not attach too much importance to any temporary success or defeat. "We should understand that for us it is a war of resistance to the bitter end and one which the Chinese nation must pass through. Although we aie not equipped like our cneniv, our spirits should never falter or be subdued. It would be better to be defeated in battle than to submit. "In continuing the fight after defeat in battle there will come a time when \ ictory will be won. Moreover, tin* further the enemy penetrates inland the more difficult and passive will his position be, and in tile end his military strength will be completely exhausted and final victory will be ours. e fight to maintain our country's existence and independence. At the same time we fight to uphold righteousness among tlie nations of the world."

ABJECT GRIEF. Japan's Regret for Panay Deaths Beyond Words. AMBASSADORS BROADCAST. WASHINGTON". December 20. Ihe Japanese Government and people," said Mr. H. Saito. Japanese Ambassador, in his remarkable broadcast talk, "are grieved beyond words. Apologies and regrets have gone out officially and unofficially from all quarters in Japan. All Japanese are anxious to make amends.

"The Government has already declared its intention to pay indemnities for material loss. What is impossible to redeem is the loss of life. No compensation possible to mortal man would be adequate for the • families bereft. This, therefore, we must deplore.

"We had no thought that sucli a blunder could occur. We were amazed when the news came, but now that it has occurred our authorities are doing their best to see that there is no repetition.

"The naval commander of the air squadron at Shanghai has been dismissed and recalled. All other necessary steps are being and will be taken so that guarantees of safety will be assured to all foreign persons and interests."

The speech, which was carried on a network of 23 radio stations, lasted for two minutes. It was part of a commercially sponsored programme, "Radio News Reel." Mr. Saito was followed by a criminologist and preceded by an actress.

THORNY PATH.

TROUBLES AHEAD OF JAPAN. LONDOV, December 16. "Indications are that Japan does not know what she wants in China," says "The Times." "China in the near future will be divided into two parts; one ruled by Chinese and the other by Japanese through Chinese puppets. "Both forms of administration offer acute perplexities to Japan. Her longterm prospects 'in China are not reassuring." The "News Chronicle" says: "The Japanese have now bitten off as much of China as they can comfortably chew. Even though, for reasons of prestige, they may feel it necessary to reduce Canton, they have over-run about oneeighth of the vast territory of the country. "They could probably maintain effective sovereignty over China north of the Yellow River, but they would find it impossible to hold down the whole country north of the Yangtse River." The "Daily Mail" comments: "The departure of Chiang. Kai-shek, whose determination had been to dispute every yard of territory, indicates how forlorn is China's hope of making a"n effective stand, even beyond Nanking. Whether Japan will elect to pursue the Chinese as they fall back into the interior cannot be predicted with certainty.

"It may be hoped that the fall of the Chinese capital will mark the point when the conquerors prefer to consolidate their great gains, rather than absorb further tracts."