The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-11-01
.STILWELL'S
RECALL HAS
BAD EFFECT


Chiang's reported acceptance OF
American requests that Chlnese
ground and air forces be placed
under Stilwell, then his reversal
and angry refusal of StilWells ap-
pointment would appear to be IN
line with stories I heard in China
that more and more the generals
simo has become capricious in his
decisions and RACES against taking
advice.
The truth about the Chinese army
as some experts told me, is that
1T isn't an army at all" The CHI
nese soldier, impressed into service
without any selective service sys,
tenn as we know it, is brave and
good fighting man if he has a
chance. But in general ne is woe
fully underfed, lacks medical at
tention, proper clothing and shelter
and equipment.
Worst of all he is hopelessly led
by incompetent officers, callous OF
his sufferings and too often out to
Squeeze on his pay and rice.
In the Salween river offensive to
reopen the Burma road, a drive
that Chungking refused to under
take for months, generals are re-
ported to have disobeyed orders to
attack - leaving unsupported col
umns to be slaughtered. Some
higher Chinese officers are reluc-
tant to risk their men on the theory
that, no army, no prestige and nc
graft. Let the other fellow do it.
Americans have urged thorough
going reorganization to cut out the
deadwood and form a reasonable
number of active fighting units. TIC
this the Chinese official reply given
me was that many of the divisions
and armies are the property Of
provincial war lords and t h
Chiang's position is not secure
enough to crack down.
As an example of this situation,
in Yunnan province from which the
Salween offensive was launched
numerous American motor conveys
hauling equipment to the Chinese
evolutionary force have been am
pushed and Looted by armed bands
There have been American casual
ties.
American lease lend equipment
for the Ch4nese armies has a habit
of ending up in warehouses lar be-
hind any active front. True, the
Chinese service Of supply is prac'
tically no existent and transpor'
tation is a grave problem. But the
arms and munitions do not move
out even on American pleadings
When lease lend is finally turned
overto the Chinese, the Americans
haveno control.
haveheard charges made II
China that the central government
is more interested in conserving
men and supplies to maintain it,
position against the communists ane
ether doubtful elements than II
fighting the japanese. Chungkine
officials denied such accusations
After more than seven years o:
war-cut off from the outside fol
two years, except by air-China i:
in a bad way economically ane
militarily.
Chiang's government, taking wha
Allied aid can be supplies and al
ways insisting on more, has new
er shown any real sign of throwing
in the sponge.
But, there has been no real indi
cation that Chang is Immediately
willing to move from Dictatorship
toward democracy, enlist the aid
of the fighting communists, clean
out corrupt circles high in the gov.
eminent, get rid of the profiteers
and spectators, and thus intensity
the war effort.
China's position as full Big
Four member of the United Ma.
tons may hinge on what steps are
taken in Chungking in the near fu-
ture.
-V--