DANGER OF CIVIL WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23281, 17 August 1945, Page 5

DANGER OF CIVIL WAR

Chinese Communists Defy Chungking Chiang Kai-shek Seeks Conference By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (Received 7.30 p.m.) CHUNGKING, August 15. GENERALISSIMO Chiang Kai-shek has invited General Maotzetung, commander of the Communist Armies in North-west China, to confer immediately at Chungking, apparently in an effort to avoid the mounting danger of civil war. While the radio message is being sent, the Communist forces, according to an unconfirmed report, are marching against key cities in North China in defiance of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek’s orders. The Generalissimo sent the message: “We have many international and internal problems awaiting settlement. These involve the national welfare. Please do not delay coming.” A Government spokesman earlier said that Chinese troops would participate’in the occupation of Japan, and also that steps had been taken to ensure the surrender of Japanese troops in China only to accredited Allied representatives. The latter action is regarded in Government circles as an effort to avoid an open civil conflict. The spokesman asserted that Chungking intended to re-establish its authority as soon as possible in all important cities, but no details can yet be revealed. The Chungking radio said that Generalissimo Chiang sent a message to General Yosuji Okamura, commander of the Japanese forces in China, directing him to cease ' hostilities immediately and await instructions from General Ho Yingchin, Chinese Military Chief of Staff. Generalissimo Chiang said the Japanese would be permitted temporarily to retain their arms and equipment for the maintenance of public order. The fear has been expressed in Chungking that the Japanese might hand their arms to the Communists.

Reports of Communist advances against key Japanese-occupied cities north of the Yellow River come from independent sources. The Communists’ key objectives are reported to include Peking, Tientsin and Tsingtao. Unconfirmed reports said that proChiang underground forces have already seized control of Shanghai and are holding it for the arrival of national troops. The crack American-trained and equipped Chinese Sixth Army veterans at central bases in South China are ready to board air transports for Shanghai on Generalissimo Chiang’s orders.

Chungking Government circles said it was believed that the Communists

not only aimed at seizing Japanese supplies, but at the indoctrination of Japanese prisoners falling into their hands, with the intention of using them if civil war should develop. Generalissimo Chiang’s generals are known to be taking all measures possible to prevent a conflict. Canton is the only major centre which Chungking is assured of possessing. Hankow is next on the list, with Shanghai and Nanking among the uncertainties, but they are likely to revert to Chungking through the steps Generalissimo Chiang expects to take soon. "In a broadcast overseas and also

to soldiers and civilians in China the Generalissimo asserted that victory was not yet final. “I urge all our friends of the Allied Nations and all our own countrymen to face the fact that the peace we gained bv arms is not necessarily the beginning of permanent

peace.” . , Chiang issued a caution against revenge or heaping abuse on the innocent people of Japan. He added: “We have always said that Japans violent militarism is our enemy, not Japan’s people.” . ~ .. A Government spokesman told the Press that skeleton staffs and key Ministcries will be moved to Nanking in order to re-establish the former Chinese capital as soon as possible.