Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-10-05
Chinese Women
To Fight Japan
5000 of Them Drop Tools
OF Peace and Take Up
Tools of War.

HONGKONG. - About 5000 of
Kwangsi's hardy womenfolk have
laid aside the sickle and hoe for the
big sword and Mauser rifle and
Joined their men in resisting the
japanese penetration in the south
west.
For the % months of the war Chi
mas New Life movement has car
ried extensive propagation of the
significance of China's unity to the
rural districts. China's womenhood
has been modified under Nine.
Chang Kai-shek's banner in all
phases of war workout in Kwang-
81, province famed for its fight
ing men and national spirit, it has
been the peasant women who have
taken the initiative in rallying for
the salvation of their country. Not
content with performing domestic
services in connection with Kwang-
sis armies, they have become SOL
diers of the line, under the leader
ship of Nine. Pal Chug-hsi, wife Of
Kwangsi's No. 2 general.
Recent reports from the south
western front state that the Wom-
ems regiment is participating in
the defense of the Lingyang railway
in an effort to prevent the Japanese
drive on Toishan, Yanping and
Hoping, rich towns in the West riv-
er delta.
Corps Speedily Formed.
When their men first rallied to
Kwangsi's commander in chief,
Gen. Ii. Tsung-jen and followed him
to central and northern China at
the outbreak of hostilities, the more
prominent among Kwangsi's wom-
en-, as in most other provinces, or
gained Women's corps. They
were recruited for service behind
the lines and in carrying on agri-
culture and industry at home.
But as the months rolled on, the
war assumed new significance for
Kwangsi women. The battles of
Taierhchwang and Hsuchow, in
which General Lis Fifth Group
army won fame, swelled the num-
Der of widows and bereaved moth
>ers and sisters in Kwangsi. In in
creasing numbers bands of sturdy
women land workers presented
themselves at the Group army head
quarters in Kweillin, demanding to
be allowed to join their men in the
ranks or to be permitted to fight the
enemy to avenge the death of a
male relative.
It was in the latter part of 1887
that the first really militant section
of the Women's corps was formed.
At first it numbered about 700,
composed mainly of land workers
with muscles as hardened as those
of their men through years of toll
in their mountainous province; but
as the spirit spread the ranks Of
the Women's regiment swelled with
enlistments from all walks of life
teachers, nurses, store assistants
and even housewives.
Regiment Has 5000.
Now the Women'S regiment is re-
iably estimated to number 5000.
''No streamlined beauties these"
said an executive of an American
oil company when he returned from
tour of the southwest during
which he came into contact with the
women soldiers. "Amazons," is a
rather overused term, but it is the
only one which describes them.
''Most of them are short and of
sturdy build. In appearance they
are not unlike the Japanese SOL
~diers.
''They wear a uniform which is
the exact counterpart of the mems
and they can handle their rifles and
throw hand grenade with the best
of men.
''To tell the truth, had no idea
they were women until I saw them
at close quarters"