In order to devote his entire attention to military affairs. General Chiang Kal-shek has relingulshed the Presidency of the Executive Yuan to Dr. H.
Kung. There has also been a change in the Vice-Presidency Which will now be taken by Dr. Wang Chung-hui. Both Dr. Kung and Dr. Wang are retaining their former duties as Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs respectively.
The following is a full translation of the statement issued by the Na~ tonal Government. to-day:
"The chain of events following the Lukouchiao incident of July 7 and culminating in the seizure of Tien tsin and Peiping opened a new phase Japan's programme of continental conquest, Realizing that Japan's aggression knows no bounds, except {hat of force, the Chinese Government finally resolved to take up arms In self-defence. resources at her command and with the full determination of her people give up their lives for the country, she is fully united against the Japan-fee invaders.
"In her present struggle China has behind her the full sympathy of for-ign nations and the solid support of liber people. There can be no ques-ton that che will ultimately attain object of maintaining her national existence and independence.'—Central News.
"The Government's decision, "it is most gratifying to note, has received the hearty endorsement and support of the whole nation, which turned fut like one man in the common struggle against invasion, Wherever the Japanese forces chose to make their attacks, they have invariably encountered the stubborn resi of the Chinese defenders who would vather die than surrender an Inch of "instances of heroic serifices in different provinces are too numerous to mention here, "tthe Shanghai-Woosung are! the Chinese held their enemy at bay for fully three months. Responding to the call of the Government, units the fighting forces from all over the country rushed to the front and fought shoulder to shoulder against the common enemy,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.