Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-22
Chang Looks Ahead
To Day When He Can
Meet Roosevelt
Sees Chino Aided
By Allied Successes
In North Afrieo
BY A. r. STEELE,

Foreign Correspondent Of The star and
chieaso Daily News, Inco
CHUNKING, Dee. 32.-Generalis-
simo Chang Kai-shek looks forward
to the day when he can meet Presi-
dent Roosevelt face to face he told
me in the course Of 15-minute in
terview.
Grayer, more philosophical and
more statesmanlike than had ever
seen him the generalissimo never
theless was very much the COM
mander In bearing and manner. His
answers were Enthusiastically brief
almost monosyllabic-but when I
asked him about Mr.. Roosevelt's
dio-photoed letter Of GREETINGS,
sent earlier last week when the serv-
ice was inagurated, his face lighted
up. He said he had dispatched his
reply to the American President and
hoped some day he could meet him.
Asked whether he was satisfied
with American assistance to China
the generalissimo said:
TT is improving despite dinicult
circumstances"
Sees Africa Is Help.
Gen. Chang believed also that
the Allied successes in Africa would
help China's cause.
Commenting on the circular tele-
gram he had just issued for the con-
troll Of prices and wages in Free
China Gen. Chang voiced the hope
that China's economic difficulties
could be ameliorated with measures
along that direction"
Alert sentries stood at the sue
cessive entrances to the generals
simo's western-style residence on 4
Chunking hillside. In the outer watt
ing room an aide de camp con-
suited 4 mimeographed program Of
the generalissimo's day and ushered
me into another anteroom.
There lieutenant general and half
. dozen other commanders sat stiff
ly waiting for an audience. These
young ofncers were sncked up, white
gloved and nervous. For most OF
them 1t was the first intimate meet
ing with their commander in chief.
Their conversation was in whispers.
Reminder Of War.
The furnishings Of that room
typified the Generalissimo's China.
A fine old scroll painting of beard
ed Chinese philosopher, and another
scroll adorned with an ancient poem
in beautiful caligraphy, symbolized
the Chinese veneration OF philos-
ophy and arts Of the past, which
Chang Kai-shek is encouraging. On
the mantelpiece stood q grim re-
minder OF China's present ordeal
big chunk of twisted steel from
An exploded Jap bomb, mounted on
. blackwood stand. 1t was one Of
many bomb fragments picked up on
the premises. Over 1t hung a full
length portrait Of the Generalissimo.
At 4 O'Clock in the afternoon-the
time hxed for my interview-the
aide de camp led me into Gen.
Chiang's living room, which was
spacious. dimly lighted and simply
furnished in the Occidental manner.
The 56-year-old Generalissimo was
clad In q plain, khaki uniform
wholly without adornment. He
looked 1T and austere. He has kept
In good health despite heavily
mounting duties and responsible
ties.
Days Filled.
Chang Kai-shek's days are very
full. He rises at 6 an, mediates
half an hour, breakfasts, reads the
newspapers. hears reports and re-
ceives until noon. A brief rest and
. walk In his garden give him .
midday break, but from 8 to I pm.
he is again occupied with interviews
and reports.
After dinner he reads until retir-
ing time, ut .. Even his meal hours
are devoted to state business. He
employs them for conferences with
subordinates.
The Generalissimo's undiminish-
ing popularity was brought to me
recently during 4 visit to the Lin
tung hot springs, near Sian. where
Gen. Chang was kidnapped In 1895.
Pilgrims have beaten q well-worn
path to the ledge Of the mountain
side where the Generalissimo was
taken prisoner. The rock cliff Is in
scribed with carved tributes from
his admirers.
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