Evening star., 1937-04-16
The Kidnapping Of Gen. Chang Kai-shek
Opposed Use of Military

with pessimism. Universal ccndemna-
ton of the Sian leaders was unre-
strained.
From the beginning, it was my su-
preme belief that I should exert all
my powers to make any necessary sac
rifice, and, whatever the cost, to do
the right thing in dealing with these
men of the northwest now holding my
husband. At no time did I heap i'm
precautions upon their heads.
I could not shake of the feeling
that there was way out Of what then
looked to be black, ugly and des-
perate situation, If could only make
people see it. So argued for restraint
before cutting of possibilities for
peaceful settlement, for the explora-
ton OF all possible avenues to obtain
the release of the generalissimo be-
fore launching an attack and thus
condemning him to death at the hands
Of angry soldiers or people, II not by
the bombs and bullets Of his own
troops.
But I found myself running full
tilt into the military mind in full
panoply for action.
I was told that the generalissimo
should not have risked his life in such
an unWise and unnecessary way.
retorted that, If the generalissimo
is worthy Of his position, he should
risk his life whenever necessary.
Argued for Force.
ITO uphold properly the prestige of
the national government" it was
stated, requires a display of force
forthwith"
"At this period OF national crisis
there would and could not be any ma
tional government" I replied, with
out the generalissimo. Aside from him,
just mention the name OF a man who
has the qualities and character Of 4
national leader"
ready dead" said some.
What Is the life of one man COM
pared with that of the state?" asked
another.
"She is a woman pleading for the
life Of her husband" was one taunt
4CpCdlCO W lle.
Il am woman" / retorted, "but I
am speaking not as wife trying to
save her husbands life II it is neces-
sary that the generalissimo should die
for the good of the country I would
be the first one to sacrifice him, but
to my mind, to use military force and
to attack and lombard Sian would not
.1yy
eralissimo, who is the universally rec
ognized leader Of the country, but
would also cause untold misery and
suffering to thousands OF innocent
civilians, as we'll as waste our military
force, which should be conserved for
national defense. Let us see whether
or not any channels are open through
which we may come to peaceful set
tlement.
Believe me, gentlemen, when I tell
you that I am making this appeal to
you not as woman thinking Of the
safety Of her husband, but as a citizen
taking a dispasSonate and realistic
attitude to secure the least costly solu-
ton Of grave national problem In
no circumstances would 1 hesitate to
sacrifice myself and my husband If
such sacrifice could be Of the least
benefit to the nation.
II believe that time will prove that
my envisagement of this situation, and
my idea Of how it should be solved,
will prove correct. I know that you are
just as sincere, according to your
lights, as am, but I am so confident
that mine is the correct attitude that
shall use every means possible to have
my ideas made effective. Imprecauons
will never conquer the rebels, and can
not help to solve the situation"
When I added that I would per-
sonally fly to Sian to see what might
be done, my suggestion was received