14.
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any principle? It is a strange accusation indeed, the like
of which has never been heard. What militarists aim at is
military bases. But our National revolutionary armies have
handed over to the control of the masses all places which
they have conquered. Militarists are also eager for wealth
and property. I have been in the field for over a year but
I have nothing beyond my own body. Again militarists are
very careful of their own lives, but they take no care of
the lives of their soldiers. All the time during the
Northern Expedition I was ahead of my soldiers, caring not
for my life. Militarists have been used to obtaining supp- lies from the Imperialists, but I have received no guns,
ammunition and funds from the Imperialists. Our nati onal
revolutionary armies have fought over a distance of several
thousand miles, and have made sacrifices for the sake of
their principles, and not for my own benefit. I have
encouraged all my soldiers in the Northern Expedition with
this end in view and they have encouraged me with it in
return. The Communists' libel is not only directed against
me but also against the 30,000 martyrs who have died for our
national revolution. If I have done anything wrong, I am
willing to resign myself to be seriously punished by the
Kuomintang and our masses. Even if the Communists deny
their saying that virtuous men are slaves, I have my own
character for criticism by future generations.
Our Kuomintang is a responsible political party, and
therefore we can tolerate no irresponsible prejudicing of
it by the Communists. When we advocate that China should be
governed by the Kuomintang, we have our own aspirations and
purposes. We are at liberty to suggest any theory at any
time