The Ypsilanti daily press., 1944-12-01
SideIights on The News

War Minister chen graduated
from the old Paoting Military Aca-
DENY. the original West Point OF
China. He became theGeneralissi-
mos trouble shooter in defense OF
the important river city Of Hankow
in 1898. and Ichang. up the river.
| ia 1910. A year ago he headed
/ the Chinese eXpeditionary force in
northern Burma but was forced 10
relinguish the command when he
became i'll.
The Japs dislike him, know that
he can overhaul and reaiign the
Old Mother Hubbard kitchen cabi-
net of his predecessor. Gen. Ho
Ying Chin. nicknamed the House
wife OF the Chinese Army. His du.
ties made him responsible for sup
plies, manufacturing, ordnance, ap-
pointments. training, medical ser
vice, conscription.
Gen. Chen has demonstrated his
efficiency, an attainment difficult
with an army of six million. speak
ing many languages; he has shown
personal determination and straight
forwardness, is one OF the hest Chi.
niese division commanders. He
may revitalize the poorly clad
badly equipped and undernourish-
ed Chinese soldiers with his own
confidence and with actual sup
plies 10 replace those which have
dwindled with each succeeding
military reverse.
Gen. Chen treats staff officers
severely. Misfts fear his brisk
orders During his recent two
years as governor Of Hupen prov
ince he inaugurated irrigation pro-
jects, new schools and better farm
ing methods in one of China's most
rugged and undeveloped sections.
Militarily Gen. Chen cannot now
defeat the Japanese, but he can
drag them down and force them
into war OF attrition. He is espe-
cially cooperative with L. S. Army
Air Force units. He saw them
help in the last battle of Ichang
when his men for the first time
were given arms and ammunition
from the air. Chen is popular with
the Allied nations military lead
ers in Chungking. | am informed
by Chinese sources that Gen. Chen
would be ednorsed by Gen. Stilwell
a. a capable. young military aide
to Chang Kai Shek.
After II years Gen. IIo holder
OF the L. S. Legion OF Merit.
desk general, quiet, not impetuous.
neither a war strategist nor officer
OF great military capacity. became
the victim Of many accumulated
abuses and ter-departmental war
Office encumbrances which he could
not shake
In peace tire Ho was a personal
and political henchman Of the Gen
eralissimo. B n were students at
the Tokyo war college some 40
wears ago. When the JAMS invaded
North China in 1888 and 1885 he
made token opposition to the ag-
gression but lacked men and equip.
ment to back up whatever determ->
lIdAADl llt POoStGotd ne olSuFu
an agreement with the Japs to
demilitarize North China. Many
critics charged him with being pro
Japanese, an unfair accusation.
He had studied in Japan. as did
many Chinese officers. The found
er Of the republic, Sun Yat Sen.
was harbored in Japan before the
revolution. Those who know the
Generallsslmo's plan, interpreted
the treaty signing with the Jap,
Gen. Umedzu, as passive concilia-
tion to save the rest OF China and
attempt to build an army to thwart
complete occupation OF China by
Japan. Following the agreement,
Japan prepared for her major ad-
vance which began July I, 1887 at
Marco Polo bridge, Peking.
Typical OF Japanese military
manipulations, the army used the