CHINAS ATTITUDE TO JAPAN’S AIMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 9

CHINAS ATTITUDE TO JAPAN’S AIMS

REPLY TO PRINCE KONOYE “ENEMY DREAM REVEALED,” SAYS KAI-SHEK [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Jan. 3. The Chinese Consulate-General has received the following cable concerning the Chinese attitude to proposals set out in Prince Konoye’s statement of December 22 defining Japan’s aims in China. “During an address at a weekly memorial gathering, General Chiang Kai-Shek said: ‘Prince Konoye’s statement completely reveals the enemy’s device and dream to annex China, to dominate East Asia and to conquer the world. As regards Japan’s aim to establish a new order in East Asia and form a tripartite relationship of mutual aid and co-ordination, this virtually amounts to creating an enslaved China, to asking China to join up with Manchukuo and both to be under the mastership of Japan. “ ‘Respecting Prince Konoye’s statement to form an economic bloc, it is clearly to be seen from this that Japan’s intention is to control the whole of China’s finances and resources. His announcement of socalled “Prosper Asian Council” is tantamount to creating a headquarters for carrying out Japan’s plans for the complete subjugation of China.’ “General Kai-Shek commented on the following four points: ‘(1) If Japan’s plan of creating a new order in East Asia is carried out her enslavement of China will be complete and the whole of China’s territory resources will be Ln Japan’s hands, and, therefore, there will be no need for Japan to demand a cession of territory and indemnity, and her offer to give up extraterritorial rights and concession would amount to nothing. ‘“(2) Regarding Japan's request for common defence against Communism. General Kai-Shek said that at present China is following the “three people’s principles” of Sun Yat-Sen and Japan is, therefore, “shooting without a target.” Japan uses Communism merely as a pretext to station troops in North China and to designate Inner Mongolia as a special anti-Communist area. ‘“(3) In regard to granting the right of Japan to free residence and trade in China, this will virtually amount to giving the Japanese an opportunity of carrying out their evil designs and work in all parts of China. “•(4) Adverting to Japan’s desire for a blending of the two peoples, this is equivalent to asking the Chinese people to become absorbed by the Japanese and thus to destroy forever China’s independence.’ “Finally the Generalissimo stated: ‘The enemy is endeavouring to tempt us to a compromise Ln the middle of our war of resistance. We should not fall into his net. Our war of resistance has lasted for a year and a half and the foundation of a new and prosperous China has been laid. The enemy desires us to close our door to foieign interests and renounce all treaty obligations, but we should uphold our honour with unflinching determination, because we know that in this war of resistance we are fighting for right versus wrong, and right versus might. ‘ ‘lf we fjersevere in our fight final v.vtory will be ours.’ ”