893.415/10–1547: Airgram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 22—11:25 a.m.]
A–207. A summary of President Chiang Kai-shek’s October 10th message to the nation (broadcast on the eve of the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Republic).
The Republic of China is today 36 years old. In commemorating the occasion this year, we most keenly feel its great significance. For, the new Constitution, promulgated on this past New Year’s Day, will go into full effect within this year.
[Here follows brief review of developments since 1912, with emphasis on the struggle with the Chinese Communists.]
With the utmost sincerity I present to my fellow-countrymen the following points to guide us in our common endeavor during the coming year.
Politically, we must lay the foundation of democracy and rule of the law. It is especially imperative that the elections be properly conducted and that the standard of general political actions be improved. In this respect, I wish to make two points:
- (1)
- Various electoral laws and regulations have been promulgated, registrations of electors and candidates are being concluded, and campaigns for the general elections are enthusiastically going on. It should be driven home to the voters that the way the present general elections are conducted will determine the success or failure of constitutional government in China. The sacred vote, therefore, should be cast with the utmost scruple, and the candidates should, in the spirit of self-respect, submit their political views for the free choice of the vast voting public. Only through an impeccable performance at the polls will the general elections yield commendable results.
- (2)
- The basis of constitutional democracy is the rule of the law. With all necessary preparations practically completed, the people should develop law-abiding habits and all officials should pay special regard to the sanctity of the law. This is the way to introduce dignity in the political realm and to insure the rights of the people.
Economically, provisions of the Principle of People’s Livelihood must be fully carried out, with special emphasis on assistance to private enterprises. Definite plans must be made for the solution of the land problem. Our economic reconstruction aims at bringing this about through industrialization. In this way agricultural production could be increased and the living conditions of the farmers improved. The increase of purchasing power in the rural areas to provide an extensive market for industrial products should be a prerequisite to prosperity of the urban communities.
In accordance with the said Principle, the Government has adopted an industrial policy to prevent, through a system of state-ownership, the manipulation of the people’s livelihood by monopolistic capital, and to safeguard the unhampered development of private enterprises. The Government’s taxation system and investment policies of Government banks should all be brought in line. It is my sincere hope that people in the nation’s economic circles will cooperate with the Government in enforcing this industrial policy.
Culturally, we must strive for independence in academic research and in thought. Today, two years after the conclusion of World War II, cultural frictions and political crises are both increasing in tempo. The Chinese culture has already felt the impact of the Chinese Communists’ struggle for power. Our national spirit, typified by courage and perseverance that was nurtured during the war, is sinking as the result of the damage inflicted by the Communists. What it is particularly heartrending is to see our young intellectuals unable to develop the ability to think for themselves. Some of them have even gone so far as to put themselves under the beck and call of others. Forsaking their early devotion to the acquisition of knowledge, they have become tools in political struggle. We must remember that a nation, though in great danger, can still recover, but if its culture is ruined it will not have a chance to stage a comeback. It is, therefore, a basic principle in cultural reconstruction to achieve independence in academic research and in thought. I hope that our intellectuals will take heed and forge ahead.
In our daily life, we must practice diligence, thrift and fortitude. The recovery of a nation from its battle scars is in itself a difficult undertaking. Since the conclusion of the war, there is not a single nation but is concentrating its efforts on increasing production and reducing consumption. Look at the thoroughness with which Britain [Page 328] is enforcing her austere economic program. Even a nation of the United States’ wealth and strength has asked its people to conserve food. In our own case no sooner had we emerged from a protracted war than we began to suffer additional destructions at the hands of the Communist rebels. With our social structure seriously impaired, our production capacities curtailed, our people in distress and our foreign trade greatly unbalanced, recovery will of necessity be many times more difficult than in the case of other countries. Today, I want my fellow-countrymen to discard all bad habits such as laxity, extravagance, superfluousness and opportunism. On the one hand, we should be frugal, and on the other practice fortitude and perseverance. Extravagance is an enemy of national reconstruction. And the only way to effect China’s salvation is through self-help.
To meet the needs arising from the Communist-suppression campaign, the Government has promulgated thrift and production-boosting measures. It is incumbent on our people as a whole to observe the regulations wholeheartedly. Particularly I am desirous for our social leaders to set an example for the offers [others?] by practising thrift themselves.
Fellow-countrymen, at this crucial juncture when the Communist-suppression campaign and national reconstruction are being undertaken simultaneously, we must realize that the salvation or ruin of our nation entirely depends upon the extent of our efforts today. Internally, we must lay the foundation for the forthcoming constitutional rule, fully implement the provisions of the Principle of People’s Livelihood, strive for independence in academic research and in thought, and practice diligence and fortitude in our daily life. Internationally, to retain our position in this unstable world, we must hold fast to our spirit of independence and initiative, follow a policy of peace and cooperation toward other nations. Only thus can we establish an independent, unified and progressive nation, such as will sanctify the memories of the Father of the Republic and of those who had given their lives to the cause of our National Revolution.