793.94/5961
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Legation11
- (1)
- General Tang Yu-lin, Governor of Jehol Province, telegraphed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reporting severe fightings between the Chinese and the Japanese troops at Chaoyangssu, Nanlin and Kuopeiyingtse on February 21st. The Japanese, Governor Tang stated, were massing large numbers of troops in Chin-chow and Ichow preparing for a large-scale attack upon Jehol. As Governor of Jehol charged with the duty of defending it against aggression, Governor Tang pledged that he would survive or perish with his Province.
- (2)
- The Jehol National Defense Association in the Northeastern
Provinces, formed by the Chinese population for the defense of
Jehol, sent a telegram to all the public bodies and organizations
throughout China stating in part as follows:
The Jehol of today is the Liaoning and Kirin of 1931; the North China of today is the Heilungkiang of last year. If we do not defend Jehol, North China and even the whole country will be endangered. We have but one plain duty before us, that is to summon all our citizens to sacrifice whatever they have in our supreme effort to maintain our territorial integrity. The National Government should pursue this course without the slightest hesitation. The soldiers at the front should be ready to make their supreme sacrifice for their country. Such is the will of the people and such a course the Government must pursue. The people should support their government to the fullest extent, even to reduce and limit our food and economize on all our living expenses, in order to give our government and army every support.
- (3)
- The National Salvation and Defense Association in the Province of
Chahar, amalgamated from various organizations for the same purposes
in the Province, sent a telegram to all public bodies and
organizations throughout China stating in part as follows:
The Japanese invaders, after invading and occupying our Northeast (the Three Eastern Provinces) and after taking Shanhaikwan, are now exhausting the military strength of the whole island Empire for the invasion of Jehol. This is indeed the nadir of aggressiveness and treachery. It is gratifying that our National Government has determined to defend against the invaders as evidenced by the gallantry of the forces in the battlefield, the grim determination of Governor Tang of Jehol, and the inspection tour of Acting Chairman T. V. Soong and Marshal Chang Hsiao liang12 at the front. The [Page 195] time for national salvation is now here. The Province of Chahar, contiguous with Jehol, will flourish or perish in unison with it. Our patriotism impels us to do our best to support our nation’s defenders and to relieve the sufferings of the war victims until victory is achieved.