893.01/556
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far
Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) of a Conversation With the Second Secretary of the
Chinese Embassy (Tsui)
[Washington,] November 20,
1937.
Mr. Tsui called at the Department and presented the attached copy of
the “Text of a statement issued by the Chinese Government on
November 20, 1937, in regard to the removal of the national capital
from Nanking to Chungking”.
Mr. Tsui said that in presenting by hand the copy of the
aforementioned statement he wished to inform the Department that
although the Chinese Government is moving in its entirety to
Chungking, the Foreign Office, and possibly other governmental
agencies, will, at least for the time being, maintain branch offices
at Hankow, as in the past branch offices have been maintained at
Shanghai.
Mr. Mackay thanked Mr. Tsui for bringing this matter to the attention
of the Department.
[Page 703]
[Enclosure]
The Chinese
Embassy to the Department of
State
Text of a Statement Issued
by the Chinese Government on November 20, 1937, in Regard to the Removal of the National
Capital From Nanking to Chungking
The chain of events following the Lukouchiao Incident on July 7th
and culminating in the seizure of Tientsin and Peiping has
opened a new phase in Japan’s program of continental conquest.
Realizing that Japan’s aggression knows no bound except that of
force, the Chinese Government has finally resolved to take up
arms in self-defence. The Government’s decision, it is most
gratifying to note, has received hearty endorsement and support
of the whole nation which has turned out like one man in the
common struggle against invasion. Wherever the Japanese forces
chose to make their attacks, they have invariably encountered
stubborn resistance of Chinese defenders who would rather die
than surrender an inch of territory. The instances of heroic
sacrifices in different provinces are too numerous to be
mentioned here.
In the Shanghai-Woosung area, the Chinese held their enemy at bay
for fully three months. Responding to the call of the
Government, units of fighting forces from all over country
rushed to the front and fought shoulder to shoulder against the
common enemy. Despite the concerted attacks by the Japanese
forces from land, air and sea, the Chinese troops have
maintained an excellent morale. Many of them trusting to nothing
more than their blood and patriotism remained at their posts
even after their defence works had been completely destroyed by
Japanese bombardment. In the valor and loyalty of these officers
and men the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people finds its
most eloquent expression. Upon the bodies of the heroic dead the
foundation of a new and independent Chinese nation may be said
to have been firmly laid.
Of late, the Japanese forces have shown a disposition of
advancing further westward evidently with the intention of
coercing the Chinese Government into accepting the humiliating
terms by directly threatening the safety of Nanking, Capital of
China. In this, the Japanese calculations are greatly mistaken.
For in embarking upon the present course of action after all
peaceful means had proved fruitless, China has fully made up her
mind that her salvation lies in fighting the invaders even to
the last man. Our submission to Japan is neither compatible with
our national existence and honor nor with the maintenance of
international justice and peace. “To be a broken jade rather
than a whole tile” is today the determination of every patriotic
Chinese.
[Page 704]
In order to conform to the requirements of the present state of
hostilities as well as to be in a more advantageous position to
direct national affairs as a whole and put up prolonged
resistance, the Government has this day been removed to
Chungking. There can be no doubt that hereafter China’s
resistance will be on an even wider extent and of greater
effectiveness than heretofore and with vast man power and
natural resources at her command and with full determination of
her people to give up their lives for the country, she is fully
united against the Japanese invader.
In her present struggle, China has behind her fully sympathy of
foreign nations and solid support of her people. There can be no
question that she will ultimately attain the object of
maintaining her national existence and independence.
Washington,
November
20, 1937.
