WAR IN CHINA

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20717, 30 January 1939, Page 9

WAR IN CHINA

JAPANESE CLAIMS OCCUPATION OF TOWN HIGHER TAXATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) TOKIO, Jan. 28 The Japanese forces in China claim to have occupied Y’ung-10-chen, in the Taiyuan Province, and to have killed 250 of the 1500 defenders. They also claim to have killed 450 and routed 2 500 Chinese near Sutsein, and to have killed 350 of the 500 Communist troops at Peihsen, between the Shantung and Kiangsu Provinces. The Finance Ministry is submitting a schedule for increased taxation to meet a supplementary military Budget of £11,800,000. The rate on profit on commodities has been substantially raised. Fresh revenue is to be obtained from new buildings above a certain value, also from expensive dinners partaken of in restaurants. JAPANEBE STRATEGY KAI-SIIEK’S CRITICISM “A MISERABLE FAILURE” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Te!. Copyright; HONGKONG, Jan. 29 The Chinese generalissimo, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, addressing the fifth plenary session of the Kuomintang, declared his implicit faith in China's final victory. His reasons were that Japanese military strategy had failed miserably, because the Japanese had over-estimated their own strength and under-estimated China's powers of resistance. They had also penetrated too deeply into Chinese territory. The political strategy of the Japanese had failed too when they used Chinese social outcasts to set up puppet organisations. “JAPAN HAB FAILED” KAI SHEK'S CONTENTIONS FIVE REASONS ADDUCED (By Telegrapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday The Chinese Consul-General has received by cablegram the terms of an address delivered by Marshal Chaing Kai Shek to the fifth plenary session of the Kuomintang. The Generalissimo gave the following reasons why Japan would be defeated. (i) After the occupation of Manchuria the enemy had not yet consolidated their gain before embarking on the invasion of the whole of China.

This in contradiction of their fixed plan for carrying out an aggressive continental policy. (2) The enemy’s object of a “quick war and a quick decision " had failed to materialise. (3) The enemy, in penetrating deep into China, has fallen into a morass from which they are unable to extricate themselves: thus they have failed in military strategy. (4) The enemy in setting up puppet administrations in China hope to exclude all foreign interests. Their foreign policy has become more and more self-contradictory, and with their duplicity they now ore faced with isolation and peril. Thus they have failed politically. ' (5) The enemy, ignorant of Chinese history, do not know the capabilities of the Chinese people; they have no knowledge of this modern age, nor are they familiar with the qualities underlying the progress of the revolutionary movement in China.

Sure to be Defeated

Declaring that the enemy is sure to be defeated, Marshal Chiang Kai Shek said: “We will never give up the fight half way through, or compromise with, or surrender to the enemy.” Viewing the situation from our history,

our geographical position, our civilisation, the spirit of our people, and our economic resources, the enemy cannot hope to win the war.

"The tendency of tne International situation is towards upholding truth, Justice and peace. The world democracies cave redoubled their ettorts In making preparations to check aggression, and we should more than ever follow the righteous path and fulfil the national policy of carrying on the war of resistance to a final conclusion. From time immemorial countries fighting righteous wars always have gained the victory.” Marshal Chiang Kai >hek appealed for unity and co-operation in opposition to the enemy’s “insolence and recklessness.” China, lie said, must

expand the country’s agriculture, which was its special gift; it must persevere In its resistance and aggravate the enemy’s weakness of being an industrial country.