The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-28

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lrday the man whom the iron
ugurated by the japanese as
,ime in the part of China held
I by japanese troops. That man is
Wang Ching-Wei. The iron statue
Of him in Chungking has SYM
bolism to the Chinese. A statue In
that posture represents a traitor.
Once Wang Ching-Wei was at
Chungking, himself, a supporter Of
GeneraliSsimo Chang Kai-Shek. But
Saturday he becomes head Of the
second Chinese regime to be set up
by the japanese In territory carved
by their invading armies from the
vast reaches of China.
30 Months Of War
Inception of the Wang Ching Wei
government marks period In the
30-months war between Japan and
China. Out Of 1t, the Japanese hope
may come an ultimate peace, an
end to what Toxic calls the China
incident" and establishment Of the
new order In East Asia" which Is
the stated goal Of the japanese.
There are both similarities and
sharp differences between the Wang
Ching-Wei government and the first
Japanese experimnt along these
lines-the setting up Of Henry Pu-
VI, Manchu pretender, as emperor
of Manchukuo, the former Man
churian provinces.
Henry. Pu-Yi was invested with
the ceremonialS and trappingS Of
the ancient Empire of China. He
was proclaimed as the successor Of
the imperial grandeur which ended
in China with the establishment Of
the republic under the inspiration of
the late DIR. Sun Yat-Sen, founder
of the republic and virtual saint to
the masses Of China.
1t Is to the Sun Yat-Sen tradition
of a republican China that the
Wang Ching Wei regime will appeal
rather than to memories of the I'M
perial dragon throne.
Sun Yat-Se Follower
Wang Ching-Wei Is being pre-
scented to the Chinese as an "Ortho-
dox" follower Of Sun aYt-Sen. He,
1t is said, is the true believer where
as Chang Kai-6hek Is described as
an irnposter who has led China into
strange, new paths. Chang Kali
Shek, say the Japanese, will be be-
headed If he ever falls into their
hands.
Whether the Chinese people or
any substantial number of them
will accept this thesis of the Wang
Ching-Wei government Is not Ger
tain. But no effort Is being spared
to equip the new Marking estab-
lishment with attractions for var
ious classes of Chinese.
Wang Chin-Wei is being installed
at Marking. Marking was the seat
the Japanese drove it west to
of the. Chinese government before
Chung King. Here also is Sun Vat
Sens tomb, q mighty symbol to
Chinese masses.
win Sign Peace Treaty ..4..g
Wang Ching Wei will sign q
peace treaty" with Japan. This will
give him technical authority over
Japanese-occupied territories of Cen
trail China and to some vague ex-
tent In North China. Wang Chin
Wei asked for jurisdiction over all
China but Japanese northern army
commanders objected and obtained
a regional government known as the
North China Political Affairs Com
mission"
Wang Ching-Wei describes his
government as return Of the Kuo-
mintang government to Marking"
He has established a trump" Kuo-
mintang. He has adopted the ma
tional Kuomintang flag, the Kuo-
mintang system Of government,
some of its slogans, some Of its
songs, many of Sun Yat-Sens
teachings. The Kuomintang is the
official party of followers Of Su
Yat-Sen. BY taking over its trap
pings Wang Ching wei is promoting
the thesis that his Is the "true"
government and Chang. Kai-Shek,
the imposter.
But his real theological break with
the recognized Chinese government
is in the Interpretation of Sun Yat-
Sens teachings. Wang Chin-We
says China's first president believed
in Pam Asiar1ism, I. z. cooperation
with the Japanese. Chang Kali
Shek declares the fundamental te-
net was just the REVERSE Chinese
Nationalism, E. e. China for the
Chinese.
No immediate repercussions in the
current virtual stalemate of the
Sino-J Japanese war is expected from
Wang's induction. Ultimately, how
ever, the Japanese hope re-estab-
lishment of peace may be forth
coming possibly through negotia-
tions between Wang and Chang,
possibly through elimination Of
Chang and inheritance by Wang Of
his power and prestige.