CHINA'S FIRST LADY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22833, 14 September 1937, Page 3

CHINA'S FIRST LADY

MADAM CHIANG KAI-SHEK A NOTABLE FIGURE • An important part has heen played in influencing great men to greater deeds by women throughout the ages. But whereas they have in former days usually worked quietly, behind closed doors, to-day they can stand side by side with their husbands and fight on an equal footing before the world. Perhaps the greatest modern example of such a woman is Madam Chiang Kaishek, wife of the Chinese Premier and generalissimo who has been so much in the nqws. In to-day's news appears an appeal to the western world by Madam Chiang Kai-shek not to abandon its treaties.

Mei-Ling ("Beautiful Mood"), as she is known, is probably the most powerful woman in the world to-day. It is possible that sho alono knows whether her husband Chiang Kai-shek will successfully combat the Japanese invasion. She accompanies her husband on every important journey in connection with State business, and she takes part in all his day-and-night conferences with the Government and army leaders in Nanking. Madam Mei-Ling is secretary-general of the air force, chief of the women's division of the semireligious New Life Movement of China, and is a leader in the Red Cross. She has also acted as political censor.

Addressing the women of China recently, she called on them to "fight Japan according to your ability. Our final victory will enise forever the days of humiliation which have crowded our calendar, and remove the sorrow which has rent our hearts and bowed our heads."

Madam Chiang Kai-shek was educated in America, and comes under the "new order" of educated women in China. She was sent to the United States at the age of ton and gained her knowledge of Western thinking at two Wesleyan colleges for women. After her graduation in 1917 she returned to China, and there, against her family's wishes, married Chiang Kaishek, who spok<> 110 English. A Christian herself, it was not until 1935 that her husband admitted his conversion to Christianity. And by 1935, by their united efforts, they had fairly united China, Chiang became Premier and his wife first lady. Madam Chiang Kai-shek comes from one of China's greatest families —the great house of Soong. Her sister was Ching-ling, wife of Sun Yat Sen, the founder and first President of the Chinese Republic.