NATIONALISTS TAKE DR. SUN AS SYMBOL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6735, 11 October 1928, Page 8

NATIONALISTS TAKE DR. SUN AS SYMBOL

Doctrines of Great Chinese Revolution Observed by . Nanking Government

PEIPING. Dr. Sun Yat-sen once declared that the people of China need a symbol to enlist their thoughts and feelings for a Nationalist movement. His supporters have given careful attention to this statement of their leader, and Dr. Sun himself has been taken as that symbol. Since the occupation of Peiping, the business of emphasising upon the people everywhere that Dr. Sun is the father of Nationalism has proceeded rapidly. The full strength of the propaganda corps attached to each Nationalist army has been turned towards this end. In South and Central China every village has had its memorial service, at least once a year, and Dr. Sun’s last testament has been read, and extracts from bis 16 lectures given to the people. The impressive shrine in his honour has gradually assumed shape in Nanking, even when funds for government buildings and for soldiers were lacking. The methods of impressing upon the millions of illiterate peasants and workers that Dr. Sun’s ideals are those upon which the Nationalist movement is founded, have been most thorough and systematic. Students have been training as lecturers, and have gone to villages, towns and cities everywhere preaching “Sun Yat-sen-ism.’’ Every Nationalist who has come to Peiping has journeyed to the Western Hills to bow before the shrine in the beautiful hill-side temple. Every officeseeker Las been required to recite Dr. Sun’s last testament. Every student in the government schools has familiarised himself with Dr. Sun’s writings. Every public meeting has been opened with a reference to Dr. Sun-and usually with some extract from his lectures.

The Nationalists undoubtedly hope to make Dr. Sun’s memory a symbol.