Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1935, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/6923

The Chinese Legation to the Department of State⁵⁷

undated

Speaking before the Central Political Council on February 20 on the subject of Sino-Japanese relations Mr. Wang Ching-Wei, President of the Executive Yuan, commented on Mr. Hirota’s speech which was recently delivered in the Japanese Diet in the following terms:

“The speech delivered by Mr. Hirota, the Japanese Foreign Minister, on January 23 before the Japanese Diet concerning the Japanese policy towards China has been fully reported by foreign as well as Chinese newspapers. As a matter of fact important journals in various countries have published numerous comments on it. It is therefore unnecessary for me to repeat it to you here.

“It is my intention today to acquaint you with my personal reactions towards Mr. Hirota’s speech. In a way what I am going to say may also be taken as an explanation of our fundamental policy towards Japan.

“In order to modernize China we must direct our attention to two important prerequisites, namely—‘unification’ and ‘reconstruction’. We have been handicapped by institutional deficiencies and economic backwardness as well as by lack of communication and educational facilities. To realize our aims in unification and reconstruction we must have durable peace. But in this modern world where communications have become so highly developed and where political and economic interrelationship among nations has grown so close our love for peace must be taken in its broadest sense. For besides working for peace in China we also wish other countries themselves to have peace. Indeed we particularly wish that in international intercourse peace may be definitely guaranteed. For this reason China is willing under the principles of equality and mutual assistance to maintain and promote friendly and peaceable relations with any country not to mention a neighbor like Japan whose geographical, historical, cultural and racial relationship with this country is so closely bound.

“It may be recalled that our late leader Dr. Sun Yat-Sen said in the course of a speech which he delivered at Kobe on November 28, 1924, that ‘considering the relationship between China and Japan in all respects the peoples of the two countries should work hand in hand and cooperate in the advancement of the welfare of the two countries’. It was Dr. Sun’s last speech and is well remembered by all his followers. It was the basis of his Sino-Japanese policy to which he adhered all his lifetime.

“Even from the standpoint of our revolution it may also be recalled that from the day of Chung Hsin Hui through the period of Tung Meng Hui down to the Revolution in 1911 we have received considerable help and sympathy from Japanese friends whether officials or non-officials. These facts are no doubt still within the memory of those who participated in the revolutionary work. Bearing this point in mind it may be seen how intimate the relations between China and Japan should be.

“But unfortunately not only no real friendship has been cultivated between China and Japan but also for the last twenty years unexpected complications have continually arisen between the two countries and what is more unfortunate these complications have become more and more serious and dangerous in nature. In consequence not only have the relations between the two countries grown worse but even the whole world has found itself in an atmosphere of insecurity. This must certainly be regarded as a deplorable state of things not only by the two countries concerned but also by the whole world.

“It is true that we are now in the midst of a national crisis of the severest nature but we are confident that since the relations between the two countries have had a history of such long duration troubles as existing at present can after all be solved by means of mutual sincerity.

“After reading the speech recently delivered by the Japanese Foreign Minister Mr. Hirota we are of the opinion that generally it agrees in spirit with what we have hitherto advocated. Now that China and Japan have expressed their common desires it is a matter for great rejoicing for us that by dint of mutual efforts Sino-Japanese relations will henceforth have an opportunity to improve as well as to be restored into regular channels.

“Now I wish to emphasize with all frankness and seriousness that we wish to solve all complications between the two countries with fullness of sincerity and through pacific means as well as by regular procedure so that all mutual suspicions and all speeches and actions mutually repulsive and detrimental may be gradually eradicated and that the hope of close friendship between the two countries as entertained by our late party leader Dr. Sun Yat-Sen may be realized.

“In a word if the people of China and Japan will not cling to their immediate interests nor mind temporary feelings but will show each other mutual sincerity and stand for righteousness in order to work for a durable peace between the two countries then it is quite certain that a rational solution of fundamental issues between the two countries will be obtained. This will be a blessing not only for the two countries and for eastern Asia but it will be also the greatest contribution to peace in the world.”

The generalissimo opines that Japan should forsake the doctrine of “might is right”. In an interview at Kuling on February 16 views were frankly expressed by General Chiang Kai-Shek on the Sino-Japanese situation and the fundamentals upon which cooperation between the two countries should be based. In an interview recently granted to Mr. Miyasaki, representative of the Osaka Asahi in Kuling following were the interviewer’s questions and the generalissimo’s answers:

Question. For the welfare of East Asia there is necessity for China and Japan to cooperate with each other. What should be the method of cooperation?

Answer. Not only for the welfare of the Far East but also the welfare of the world as well it is necessary for China and Japan to cooperate; because on the one hand these two countries are only independent members of the Far East and on the other also important members of the world. Sincerity and justice are the first fundamentals upon which cooperation should be based and only through them could true cooperation be fully realized.

Question. Kindly let me know without reserve Your Excellency’s opinion about Japan and the Japanese.

Answer. We have always admired your people for the rapid progress you have made since your reformation and respected the virtues characteristic of your people such as patriotism, filial piety, courtesy, diligence and thrift. But if you should forsake the original spirit of Oriental civilization and be influenced by the Doctrine that “Might is right” it would be a great pity.

Question. Is there any good basic solution for the present Sino-Japanese trouble?

Answer. From the beginning I have been convinced that sincerity and justice are the basic principles for the solution of the present Sino-Japanese trouble. Since you are also eager to have Sino-Japanese cooperation as a reality you should take into consideration the national psychology of the Chinese people. As a matter of fact China originally did not entertain any anti-Japanese feeling; furthermore in my opinion there should be no necessity to do so. But we Chinese have generally harbored deep resentment against the Ching Dynasty,—that is to say against the rule of the Emperors of Ching. After a struggle of 300 years we have at last succeeded in emancipating ourselves from the yoke under the rule of an alien race and I fear this feeling has been aggravated by the northeastern situation. Furthermore the northeastern situation as it exists today is daily an added grievance to our people and due to repeated provocations it would be impossible to eradicate this resentment without removing the cause. We should not therefore neglect to take into consideration our people’s attitude as an important factor in the realization of Sino-Japanese cooperation.

Question. What is Your Excellency’s opinion concerning the suppression of the anti-Japanese attitude and the improvement of feeling between these two countries, especially from an educational point of view?

Answer. China has ever upheld sincerity, justice and peace in order to establish close cooperation with friendly powers and has never harbored enmity against any. We have adopted the same policy in our education, the principal aim of which is to develop righteousness, kindness and the spirit of mutual cooperation; and any action contrary to this spirit which might foster a sentiment of hatred should be rectified so as to maintain a wholesome national atmosphere. However the same attention and effort to this end should be paid and directed by all parties. And most important of all acts of aggression and humiliation should be avoided in order not to wound and stir up our people to a sense of unrighted wrongs. Realization of this fact would make possible the improvement of better relations between the two countries.

Question. Will you please let me have an expression of your opinion regarding economic cooperation between China and Japan?

Answer. Regarding this question it is necessary first to better the present condition of these two countries by the restoration of normal relationship. Then reasonable and purely economic cooperation for mutual benefit both can follow for which there is not only a possibility but also a necessity. However for real cooperation we must have the spirit of mutual sincerity and helpfulness without harboring ulterior motives.

Question. What is your Excellency’s opinion regarding Mr. Hirota’s speech on China’s Policy?

Answer. Although Mr. Hirota’s speech on China’s Policy is somewhat vague yet we are much interested by it for at least it seems to be the turning point for the improvement of Sino-Japanese relationship. I believe Mr. Hirota will be able to substantiate his speech by subsequent actions which will enable our people to have a new conception of Japan.

Question. Regarding steps taken by the Kuomintang for the restoration of racial prestige they seem a bit too hasty and would naturally lead to anti-foreign tendencies especially fostering trouble between China and Japan. What is Your Excellency’s opinion on this point?

Answer. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s national revolution aims at China’s self-determination and equality with other powers. China is now striving to build herself up as a modern nation based on the spirit of independence and self-reliance. Such action I think should not cause any international entanglement.

Question. In the past it has been the belief of Japan that the most effective way in dealing with China was through diplomatic negotiation; according to my opinion, however, sincerity is the best means to be employed in the future; what do you think, Your Excellency?

Answer. I believe that the only way for a solution of the Sino-Japanese question is justice through diplomatic negotiation.

Question. Regarding the doctrine of “greater Asia” as promoted by Japan will you please give your criticism without reserve from the Chinese point of view?

Answer. Concerning this question please refer to Dr. Sun’s writings which will give you a clear understanding of my ideas on the subject.

Question. According to my personal idea China should have a dictatorship to a certain extent. What is Your Excellency’s opinion?

Answer. The conditions in China are quite different from Italy and Germany so a dictatorship is unsuitable for her.

Question. May I ask which figure in Chinese history Your Excellency admires most?

Answer. There are many sages and philosophers in historical China who are worthy of our admiration. However, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is a man whose teachings I have followed and will uphold for the rest of my life.

57. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Chinese Minister about March 4.