Evening star., 1937-10-29
NV NINE. CHANG KAI-sHEK.
tw,f. of the chinese GeneralissimoD ,


twffe of the Chinese Generslissimo)
NANKING. Oct. 27.--I will respond
N many requests have received from
readers of these dispatches for de-
scription of my everyday life and
position in this terrible war. My cor
respondents seem to be much interested
that I, although a woman, should hold
the unique post in charge of the
Chinese air force and also that I should
take such an important part IN the
Chinese resistance to Japan's aggres-
sion.
Since my marriage to the generals
simo, I have worked by his side IN
his tremendous task of building up the
Chinese ArmyS air force. Later
was put in charge of this force. l was
given a staff of European aviation
experts as advisers, who are collabo-
rating with the Chinese general head
quarters. the various chiefs of the air
force and the Red Cross on all fronts.
To this staff of experts China owes
her ability to withstand the terrific
onslaught by the japanese. My air
force is organized efficiently with good
German and AmeriCan-made airplaneS.
We have a large fleet of fighters and
hombers. In the very near future we
are expecting the shipment of more
planes from abroad. which will greatly
strengthen the backbone of my air
force.
Sees Resistance Power.
I wish to state that the generalissimo
and are convinced that the success
of our air armies have achieved. against
great odds, are from these British and
European advisers. Most of these men
had experience in the great war. To-
dav I believe our defenses are sufi-
GENTLY we'll organized to Withstand
any Japanese attack by air, land or
sea.
The generalissimo and 1 hold the
reins of the armyS air force, which
is administered from one room here
in the headquarters of the national
army. This we share together. we
spend from 16 to 20 hours day here
In close touch with the various army
commanders by telephone and wireless.
Frequently I make tours of inspec-
ton of our various airdromes and
also scenes where japanese bombings
have occurred We travel TO these
places either by automobile or air
plane, keeping in constant touch with
the general headquarters.
FLYERS Sleep in Planes.
cannot praise highly enough the
courage Of my airmen whose loyalty
and affection for me, their chief.
touches me very deeply. Most OF
them spend nights sleeping in their
planes ready to soar into the air at
the first alarm.
Recently a number of my pilots
formed themselves into death
squadron and sought my permission
to risk bombing Toxic from which
expedition it would be very unlikely
they came back alive. The general
issimo and 1 decided that the time
was not ripe as yet for this attack.
There is a possibility that we may
attempt this in the future, when our
sirmen can give us the assurance
that this attack can be conducted
without harm to the non-combatant
population.
We do not desire to emulate the
Japanese in their unWarranted butch
cry of women and children and we
would want to conflne our tactics
according to international law in
order to retain the respect of the
world.
To those who have sent medical
supplies to China and those who have
contributed money for this purpose,
the aeneralissimo and want to ex-
press our deepest gratitude. The gen.
eralissimo wants me to say that these
supplies have been invaluable in
slleviating the suffering of the
wounded and particularly those who
are suffering from mustard and
phosgene gas. These supplies are
being used also to soothe the distress
of the thousands of civilian victims
of these outrageous bombings, espec-
ially the women and children.
Women Rally to Cause.
The entire woman population of
China has shown me many evidences
of their loyalty and they are behind
me solidly to assist us in this human
itarian work I am deeply touched
by the fact that thousands upon thou
hands of women of China have
handed over their gold and silver
ornaments and their tiny savings to
our war chest. These contributions
have enabled us to buy the necessary
munitions to defend our country.
The internal factions which form
erly were against the generalissimo
and who were very troublesome, have
now forgotten their differences with
the national government and are
solidly with the generalissimo in his
determination to drive out these bar
barian Japanese invaders.
I am convinced that the world still
does not realize the way in which we
are forced to live in daily fear of the
destruction of China. Here in Nam
king, business is practically at stand
still. The population is under martial
law. All the people left in this city
have given up their ordinary business
pursuits and have concentrated on the
work of defense. They are working
night and day to assist the Red Cross
and also to amaSS food supplies, and
to transport rice and other necessities
to the front. Every possible means OF
transportation has been commandeered
by the military council and the popu-
lation has been partially rationed.
Flyer Dies a Hero.
AS I write, there has just passed
under my window the funeral of a
young Chinese airman who was shot
down Sunday in his plane. 1t took