CHINA'S DEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 4

CHINA'S DEAD

WAR WITH JAPAN

COUNTRYMEN'S TRIBUTE

The first anniversary of the outbreak of 'war in China was observed yesterday by all the Chinese in Wellington, part of a three-minute silence which was world wide amongst the people of that nation as mark of respect for Chinese soldiers and civilians who have perished in the defence of their country. The fruits of self denial by a partial fast will be used for gifts to soldiers in the field. The collection was taken up by the Chinese Association. In all business premises, Chinese either retired into privacy, or stood reverently motionless, and all gatherings were similarly suspended for the period. Work was stopped everywhere, in field, shop, and also in the case of Chinese vehicles in traffic.

At a meeting of the Wellington Chinese Association last night the [Chinese Consul, Mr. Feng Wang, and other residents prominent amongst I the Chinese community, spoke of the situation in China. Mr. Feng Wang recalled the commencement of Chinese resistance to Japanese aggression. "At the beginning of hostilities the enemy thought they would make an end of the war in about three months," he said, "Now they are reported to have stated that there will be a ten years" war. But no matter how long this war is going to pontinue, China will fight to her last man. As to the outcome, there has never at any time been any doubt in the minds of the Chinese people. They know that time will tell in their favour. The longer the war lasts, the stronger will be their determination to see it-through to its victorious conclusion. Nothing is impossible for a country of 450,000,000 people who have made up their minds to win." WAITING FOR SUCCESS. " The' Japanese Consul, Mr. Kuchi Gunji,. said that there had been no similar observance among Japanese residents of the city. The Japanese would celebrate only .when Japan had | succeeded. The statement made by Japan's Foreign Minister that Japan | was prepared to carry oh the' war for j I ten 'years ifj necessary should con* found those who had said that hjer forces were being, exhausted. Referring to tKe reported preparations of Russia, Mr. Gunji said that that emergency had been expected and Japan [ was ready to _cope with it. In the I Japanese view China was only a puppet in the hands of Russia. Those who said that Japan would be bankrupt or there would be a revolution did not understand the intense patriotism of its people. Japan had made national^ and, economic progress after previous wars, and the present war had stimulated her, much of the private commercial profits being hand-. led over" to the Government.' China ; had newer been united except; under i Chiang Kairshek. , The statement that China would win, .in the end was 1 simply anti-Japanese propaganda.