PRESIDENT OF CHINA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24076, 12 October 1943, Page 5

PRESIDENT OF CHINA

CHIANG KAI-SHEK TAKES OATH

PLEDGE TO ESTABLISH DEMOCRATIC RULE

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Oct. 11. Fire-crackers exploded all - over Chungking, amid rejoicing and festivities, and the capital was festooned with red lanterns and gay ' banners when Marshal Chiang Kai-shek took the oath as President of China on the anniversary day of the Chinese Republic. He pledged himself to endeavour to recover China’s lost territory and to comply with Sun Yat-sen’s teachings. The oath was administered in the presence of 400 high officials. One woman was present—Madame Chiang Kai-shek. No foreigners attended the ceremony. Afterwards the new Presi-

MARSHAL CHIANG KAI-SHEK

dent held a reception of the Diplomatic Corps, of which the largest contingent was the Russian, numbering 46, followed by 30 British officials, and 24 Americans.

Marshal Chiang Kai-shek said that China’s policy was to achieve the early establishment of a constitutional Government. “I will respect public opinion in order to set an example for democratic rule in China,” he said, “Now that ultimate victory is in sight I will strive for the nation’s advancement, and I shudder at the thought of the great task falling on my shoulders.” The Chinese War Minister (General Ho Ying-chin) said that the final victory of the United Nations might. be celebrated at this time in 1944. "China and the United States can look forward in the not far distant future to Japan’s unconditional surrender and an opportunity for building a prosperous, lasting peace,” said the Vice-President of the United States (Mr Henry Wallace), broadcasting from Washington on the occasion of the anniversary of the Chinese Republic. He added: “It is conventional to say that China needs American help, but actually we need China’s'help as much as she needs ours.”

BEGGARS OFF BENGAL STREETS

TOO WEAK TO MOVE (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 10, There are fewer beggars in the streets of Calcutta than, several weeks ago. Thousands are now too weak to drag themselves about publicly, says Reuter’s correspondent in Calcutta. The hospitals, which are taking in the sick and destitute, are overcrowded and the death-rate throughout the city is now about three times the normal rate, 527 persons having died in city hospitals during the week ended October 7. Free kitchens in the province are feeding about 1,350,000. Doctors say that they have seen more suffering in the last month than in the last 20 years. From sources outside the province, 89,000 tons of food have been delivered to Bengal in September, says the Delhi correspondent of “The Times.” If this rate of deliveries is maintained, he suggests. the central Government will be satisfied.

The Governor of Bengal has said that if the provinces could import 250,000 tons of food during the next three months it might turn the corner.

STORIES OF GERMAN ATROCITIES

ACTIONS IN VILLAGES NEAR NAPLES (8.0. W.) RUGBY. Oct. 10. “As the British troops advance towards the Volturno river, tragic stories are being told by the populations of villages beyond Naples,” says a war correspondent. "I spoke to-day to a doctor who had been treating a young mother who was shot in the right hand. She told him that the Germans had taken her into their officers’ mess, shot her through the hand with a revolver. and killed her child. “The Italians have sent their womenfolk away to the hills because of the demands the Germans are making on them. In one village I heard of two women who were raped by German soldiers and who afterwards cut their throats.

“Such stories of German brutality abound. There is one well authenticated case of £0 Italians being buried up to their waists and their hands being cut off before they were shot. There is another of a child’s hands being severed, and in one village through which I passed, a German soldier, after complaining about the food he had been given, burned down the house of his host. “It is small wonder that these peasants. who had little enough sympathy with Fascis. i, are now helping all they can to rid the-country of the enemy.” i