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REALITIES
AND
APPEASEMENT
IN THE FAR
EAST
After 16 months of war, the armies of China are intact and actually strengthened. Preparations are going steadily ahead for the counter-offensive of the Third Stage of the war, aimed to drive out the invader.
Six months of intimate contact with leaders and rank and file workers in Hong Kong, Canton, Hankow, Sian, North China and on the Yangtze front, gave me renewed faith in the coming victory of democracy. The people have accepted the loss of the great coastal and river cities and railways with unshaken courage. They recognise that these losses are being turned to account in the general strategy of China's war of defence. Confidence in China's final victory is undimmed. The more cautious envisage a struggle that may continue several more years. Perhaps the main political danger in China today is born from an excess of optimism among certain groups who think that the beginning of the end will come with Japan's financial collapse within six months.
To offset her losses, China registers substantial gains. One of the most important of these gains is this confidence of final victory in the army, the people, and the Government. National unity is being consolidated and extonded to include outlying provinces like Chinghai and Tibet, where lamas are today praying for a Chinese victory. The spread of the new culture of democracy lays a basis for the true renaissance of the East.
The
The rapid and invincible spread of democratic institu- tions in China is the firmest guarantee of her freedom. importance of the People's Advisory Council steadily increases. The creation of the Special Border Region of Shensi-Kansu- Ninghsia is an irrevocable proof of the democratic influences at work in the Central Government. In this region a million people enjoy complete democratic rights, freedom of speech, election and organisation. All officials are directly re- sponsible to the electorate. The democratic principles of the Special Region are spread through the North up to the gates of Peiping. They have made the Japanese "conquest of North China" wholly ineffective.
There is no lack of volunteers to replenish the ranks of the regular armies even after the terrible losses they have sustained from gas and high explosive. The number of parti- san and guerrilla fighters increases daily. There are
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