PRINCE KONOYE CRITICIZED

Southland Times, Issue 24300, 4 December 1940, Page 7

PRINCE KONOYE CRITICIZED

LONG WAR EXPECTED BY CHINESE

PLEA FOR FIRM FAR EAST POLICY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 3, 8.30 p.m.) CHUNGKING, December 2. The Chinese Commander-in-Chief. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, expressed the opinion that the Japanese recognition of Nanking insults the intelligence of both the Japanese and Chinese people. “It is a great blot on the Japanese national prestige,” he said, “because it will prolong, instead of shorten, hostilities.”

Marshal Chiang Kai-shek blamed tbe Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Fumimaro Konoye, for Japan’s plight. He criticized the Japanese for the following acts: —

(1) For starting the Sino-Japanese war.

(2) Signing the Anti-Comintern Pact.

(3) Defining Japan’s New Order policy. (4) Recognizing Nanking.

All this would prolong hostilities. Apparently addressing his remarks to Washington, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek urged a firm Far East policy, despite the European war. He termed Japan as the “potentially boundless curse of the Pacific.” The Joint Senate and House of Representatives committee on monetary affairs unanimously approved proposals to extend financial aid to China and help to stabilize Chinese currency. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, in a statement to the Press said: “This is such a vital matter. It is the least we can do in return for the job the Chinese are doing.”

Congressmen said that Mr Hull and the Secretary of the Treasury, _ MiHenry Morgerithau, told the committee that America’s position in the Pacific was at stake. Aid to China was essential for the maintenance of the status quo in the Far East and an integral part of the United States defence agenda.