FALL OF NANKING

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9205, 5 April 1938, Page 3

FALL OF NANKING

INSTRUCTIONS BY JAPANESE OFFICIAL “JOY” CHINESE FORCED TO CELEBRATE A few days before the fall of Nanking the Japanese authorities in Peking published lengthy instructions as to how the Chinese populu tion were to celebrate the captuie of their capital, states the “Manchester Guardian.” Five-coloured flags of the old Chinese Republic before the rise of the Kuomintang party were given to every household to hang from the windows, and later strips of red paper were stuck on the side of each door with the legend, “The Fall of Nanking is the Resurrection of China” and “Rejoice for the Establishment of the New Government. The people were in many cases forced to pay for these flags and slogans, though they had not the least idea > as to what it was all about. Some of the instructions issued to the Chinese schools are worth giving as an illustration of the Japanese mentality.

1. On the day when Nanking falls there will be signal guns fired in Peking and special issues, or extras, of the papers published; all principals of schools must thereupon inform accordingly the members of their teaching and administrative staff, as well as the entire body of the pupils.

2. The day after the fall of Nanking the principals and staffs of all schools, as well as the entire body of pupils, must, without waiting for notification from the school,-assemble at the school premises in their full numbers at 9 a.m., and the principals must see to it that the pupils attend at the premises, not allowing any evasion.

3. On the same day at 10 a.m. there shall be held a celebration meeting, the principal addressing the teaching and administrative staff and all the pupils on the fall of Nanking as meaning the destruction of the Kuomintang Government that was based on co-operation between that party and the Communists. 4. At twelve noon on the day of the celebration the principals, accompanied by the teaching and administrative staffs and by the pupils, shall assemble at the T’ien An Men to hear the broadcast addresses by distinguished speakers. 5. The registrar of each school shall carry the school flag and shall act as leader, the teaching and administrative staff and the pupils all ranging themselves below the flag, which may be either an old or o newly-made one.

FLAGS FOR ALL C. Both male and female pupils participating in the parade shall each hold in his or her hand a paper flag, which may be of any colour and of any shape—square, oblong, or triangular—with the words, “The Fall of Nanking is the First Step in the New Movement for the Resurrection of China.” 7. From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the day of the celebrations all homes of pupils shall have hanging in front, of the door a red lantern with the words, "To Celebrate the Fall of Nanking,” and shall be provided with three candles to illuminate it after dark until 10 p.m.

8. The paper flags above mentioned shall be provided by the school and shall be inscribed with the pupil’s name. The red lanterns may be provided by the school, or the school may direct the various members of the teaching and administrative staff and the pupils (no matter whether or not the same are participating in the parade) to prepare the lanterns in advance for the occasion.

The paper lanterns shall be Ift 2in high and 6in broad, and shall consist of a framework of corn stalks pasted over with red paper, a candle being stuck in the middle.

Note: Parents or guardians of pupils shall be responsible for the provision of the lanterns which are to be hung out in celebration of the fall of Nanking and they must not attempt to make excuses and evade compliance.

(Diagram of lantern appended, with dimensions.)

After the demonstration parties of students were seen returning with their flags rolled up and looking dejected. Girl students were seen marching along in the procession waving their flags but in tears.