Sept. 9.
Mr. Wang Ching-wei published in January last an English version of his important definition of China's policy in foreign affairs, with special regard to the need for facing the realities of Sino-Japanese relations. That statement and translation of two speeches delivered by General Chiang Kaishek in Chengtu in June on "Responsibilities and Training of Youth" and the "Cause and Cure of Rural Decadence" have now been issued in pamphlet form, by the China United Press. Mr. Wang Ching-wei's pronouncement has already received considerable attention. "It has been available for study for over seven months. It was later amplified by its author's famous declaration in favour of Sino-Japanese ce-operation—a policy now being steadily pursued by the Chinese Government with sagacious zeal, General Chiang Kai-shek's two speeches, delivered in remote Szechuen and primarily jeoneerned with China's domestic affairs, may not have attracted jas much attention, Yet their signficance in expounding the un-denying principles of the Government's present policy is by no means negligible. The Generalis-imo was breaking new ground in invoking national solidarity before Szechuen audience. Szechuen, of fall the provinces in China, is exceptionally self-centred. The Szechuenese find difficulty in rec~ agnizing the existence of any Chinese problems without their own borders. They may well argue that they are justified, in that the incessant. struggles between rival provineial leaders who have not hesi tated to hypothecate the resources of the people for several decades ahead, have provided sufficient material for concentrated energy. and thought o exclude mental activity on a grander scale. But, [just because the Szechuenese by the Communist invasion were" confronted with an object-lesson in the folly of their past dissensions, so it is possible to imagine that General Chiang Kai-shek had an exceptionally favourable opportunity for enforcing his views. He had no need to dilate on the evils fof rural decadence. They were all too vivid in his hearers' minds.
He could, therefore, address himself to the prescription of remedies with considerable confidence.
By recalling the historic achievements of former leaders of China:
Shen-Nung, the discoverer of herbal cures, Huang-Ti, the builder of temples and deviser of transport, his wife and Empress, Lu-Tsu, the Lady of Si-litig, the founder of the silk-industry, Hou-Chi, the inventor
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.