Evening star., 1937-04-21

ttpo remarkable docunentS-Gen-
erdlissimo Chang Kai-shek's "Diary
OF My Captivity in Sian" and Nine.
Chhng's o,0n story of hop she
helped rescue her husband and sane
China from ctUil i1ar.
BY GEN. CHANG KAI-SHEK.
tcopyrisht, 1897, BY Nine chians NsSi: Ksi:
paper Alliance, Inc. All rights reserved
Reproduction in whole or in part for
bidden.)
sHANGHAI.-Entering the car
that was to take me to Sian, I was
assisted by Sun Ming-chiu and the
brigade commander. Tan Hal, the
most trusted aide-de-camp of Chang
Hsueh- -liang, sat with the chauffeur.
The car went straight to Sian. When
nearing Tungkwan (the east city gate)
I saw Chang's personal car, and the
brigade commander told me the dep
uty commander was coming. But
Chang was not in the car. Instead
there was an officer who conveyed in
structions from Chang where was to
be taken My destination was to be
the new city building, the paciflcation
commissioners headquarters at Sian,
occupied by Yang Hu-cheng.
A feeling of doubt rose in my mind.
As understood it was the northeast
ern army which revolted and besieged
my headquarters. Why should I be
sent to Yangs place? When the car
reached the east gate I was further
surprised at seeing the guards wearing
armlets of the 17th Army yang S
army. I then thought that, as Yang
did not attend my dinner of the pre-
vious night, he must have been de-
tained by Chang.
Yang Is Trusted Comrade.
I also believed that the high Off
GERS of the central government at
Sian must have met with the same
fate and that the armlets of the l7th
Army worn by the soldiers had pos
sibly been taken from Yangs soldiers
after being disarmed by Chang's
men and were used to conceal their
identity Yang is an old comrade OF
our party and has long been in asso-
citation with the revolutionary move
ment. 1t was my strong conviction
that he took no part in the revolt.
When I entered the new city build
ing I did not see Yang. After a while
Sung Wen-mei, commander of the
special service battalion of the pacifi-
cation commissioners headquarters,
entered my room. To him Sun Ming
chiu handed over the guard duty.
Sung told me that Chang Hsueh-
liang said he wished me to rest for a
while and that he would soon come.
ordered him to send for Chang,
who appeared half an hour later.
He was very respectful to me, but I
did not return his courtesies. Chang
stood with his hands at his sides.
I asked him: Did you know be-
forehand about today'S revolt?"
He answered in the negative.
I continued: IF you have no pre-
vious knowledge of the affair, you
should see that I return Immediately
to Nanking or Loyang. Then it may
not be difficult to settle this affair"
Chang answered: II did not know
anything of the actual developments,
but wish to lay my views before your
excellency, the generalissimo"
Invites Quick Death.
I retorted: do you still call me
the generalissimo? If you still recog-
nize me as your superior, you should
send me to Loyang; otherwise you are
a rebel. Since I am in the hands of
rebel, you had better shoot me dead
There is nothing else to say"
Chang replied: IF your excellency
accepts my suggestions, I shall obey
your orders"
rebuked him by saying: (Which
are you, my subordinate or my enemy?
II my subordinate, you should obey
my orders. If you are my enemy, you
should kill me without delay. You
should choose either of these two
steps, but say nothing more, for I will
not listen to you"
Chang then explained that in TAX
ing this action his motive was revo-
lutionary, but not mutinous.
1 then shouted in indignation:
why do you still disclaim any pre-
Tious knowledge of the mutiny?"
Chang answered: Even if we are
enemies, there is still the possibility
for us to enter into negotiations"
I was almost overcome with anger
and retorted: Can there be any talk
between enemies? What type of man
do you take me to be? Can the rebels
and my enemies compel me to sur
render by force?"
Chang was somewhat taken aback
and added: II am not alone respon-
sible for this affair. There are many
other people who are in the move
ment, which should be referred to the
people for their verdict. Should the
people be in sympathy with this move
nent, then 1t will prove that I am rep
resenting the common will of the peo-
pie and your eXcellency will realize
that my action is not wrong. Then YOU
may retire from office and let me do
the work. If the people are not in
sympathy with the movement then 1
shall admit my own fault and your
excellency may resume your work. I
believe have not in any way dis
obeyed your teachings. Please, don't
be angry, and consider the matter
carefully"
Mob Excuse for Killing Seen.
When I heard "the peoples ver-
dict" I realized that it was mali
cious plot to kill me by using the mob
as their excuse. I shouted: "You are
crazyl Do you think that the people
are in sympathy with your mutiny?
Even the so-called Popular Front will
not give you their support. You claim
that your motives are revolutionary.
Can a mutiny be called a revolution?
Chen Chiung-ming (civil governor of
Canton who mutinied against Sun
Vat Sen in 1929 also claimed to be a
revolutionist, but who in the world
could believe him?
Since you are a rebel, how can you
even expect to command the obedience
st.