CHINA’S IMPORTANT ROLE

Southland Times, Issue 24686, 6 March 1942, Page 5

CHINA’S IMPORTANT ROLE

BASE FOR ATTACKS ON JAPAN (Rec. 11 p.m.) CHUNGKING, March 5. Lieutenant-General Stillwell, former military attache at Peiping, has arrived in Chungking on a special mission for Mr Roosevelt Informed quarters believe that Lieutenant-General Stillwell is collaborating with Marshal Chiang Kai-shek in planning an offensive in which United States planes would attack from Chinese bases within striking range of Japan. Senator T. Connally, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that the committee was greatly encouraged after hearing reports of Dr Owen Lattimore, political adviser to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and of Mr Manuel Fox, economic adviser to China. Mr Connally forecast that the Chinese armies might become a great offensive factor in the war provided America was able to deliver sufficient planes, tanks and heavy guns to China. Both Dr Lattimore and Mr Fox had assured the committee that Marshal Chiang was confident China could defend the Burma Road successfully, and believed that the Allies could safeguard the road’s approaches and connections which were being made by way of India. The President of China, Mr Lin Sen, broadcasting to India, thanked India for her co-operation and participation in the war against Japan. He added, “The world will necessarily be different after victory, and India will demonstrate a new glory in that world.” He explained that it was Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s mission in India to discuss concrete plans of co-operation and establish a common goal for both countries. Mr Lin Sen concluded, “Chinese and Indians are united for the destruction of the forces of aggression.” Informed quarters interpret this radio address as evidence that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek recently won promises of substantial war aid from India.