CHINA’S APPEAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 231, 30 August 1937, Page 7

CHINA’S APPEAL.

CHIANG’S MESSAGE. LETTER TO ABSENT CHINESE. “China and Japan must not be allowed to become deadly enemies,” states a message from Marshal Chiang Kai-shek to Chinese who reside in many' countries abroad. This appeal wa.s received in Auckland bv Kev. Y. S. Chau, of the Chinese Church, and ha.s been translated into English.

“Of course,” it continues, “we are still seeking peace, but failing that the Government will handle the business with the utmost care. If war ensues, no matter whether of the north or of the south, young or old must all take up their duty to defend their native land. The whole population must obey the command and preserve order throughout the country.” While China, bad been striving to live at peace with the Commonwealth of Nations and to attain unity within its borders, suddenly' the Lukauchao incident had occurred, states the message. Not only had it taken the Chinese people unawares, but it had perturlied the whole world. The repercussions of this incident would not on v affect China’s future, but also world pe if there were a gleam of peace, they must not lose sight of it, added the message, and unnecessary sacrifices of life and property must not be made while that gleam existed. On the other hand, if there were no alternative to sacrifice, then the people must sacrifice everything to ensure ultimate victory. “Compromise means surrender, and surrender means the eclipse of our peop'e. When the moment for sacrifice comes, we must no,t look hack." After suggesting that the only wav at present seemed for the Chinese to allow the Japanese army full license to move wherever it felt inclined, together with restrictions upon the movements of Chinese soldiers, the statement added: “We are fast approaching a

point which is beyond our ability to hear. We lost Manchuria in 1931 and trouble is now at the gates of Pekin.” “If we yield to their demands out of the Lukauchao incident this political and cultural centre of Pekin will immediaiely become a second Mukden, the trouble centre of 1931. The Hopei and Charhnr provinces will immediately become a second Mancliukuo, and Nanking and Shanghai will immediately become a second Pekin and Tientsin. The Lukauchao incident is the limit of our national safety.” Means of raising relief for refugees and others in stricken areas around Shanghai were discussed at a meeting of the Chinese Church in Auckland when Rev. Mr Chau traversed the urgent; need of help for the many people who were homeless. Rev. R. Ferguson’ Fish stated that an appeal was.being made through the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand for prayer for speedy relief from the trouble with which China is contending.