Chapter 17 Wang Chonghui's Statement Against Japan's Establishment of a "New East Asian Order"

On this day, Wang Chonghui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Government, made a speech on the military alliance treaty signed by Germany, Italy, and Japan, pointing out that we firmly oppose all acts of aggression that undermine the legal order of the world under the pretext of "new order".We will never recognize the "New Order of Greater East Asia", especially Japan's so-called leading position in Greater East Asia. After the Japanese imperialists captured Wuhan and Guangzhou, they deeply felt that "there is little hope for an early settlement, because there is a long-term and lasting trend inside and outside", and decided to "ensure the occupied areas and promote their stability" first, and temporarily refrained from launching wars against the Chinese army. massive attack.This is due to the fact that with the deepening of Japanese aggression, the front line was extended, the theater was expanded, and the frontal battlefield continued to fight against Japan. In particular, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China had already opened up battlefields behind the enemy lines, established anti-Japanese base areas behind the enemy lines, and extensively carried out anti-Japanese wars behind the enemy lines. Guerrilla warfare forced the Japanese troops to become more and more dispersed, and the resistance they encountered became more and more persistent and in-depth.Japan has insufficient military resources and limited resources. As early as March 5, 1938, the "Asahi Shimbun" pointed out: "Since July 7th, military expenditures against China have exceeded seven times the total war expenditures of Japan and Russia." War weariness among the people in Japan is also growing.In addition, the situation in Europe was tense at that time, and the European war was imminent. Japan also tried to retain a part of its troops to cope with the changing situation and engage in greater adventures.Under such circumstances, Japanese imperialism was forced to stop its strategic offensive, and the war entered a stalemate.

With the emergence of a stalemate, Japanese imperialism adopted the aggressive policy of "containing China with China and supporting war with war".In order to carry out this policy of aggression, Japanese imperialism changed its strategy of aggression against China, from focusing on military strikes supplemented by political inducements to surrender to political inducements supplemented by military strikes.The Japanese headquarters believes that "after the Wuhan offensive...it will be difficult to solve the incident only by offensive operations. In the future, we should pay attention to political offensives, cultivate and strengthen the new regime, and make the government of the Republic of China tend to decline. Only then can it be effective." November 3, 1938 , The Japanese government issued a brief statement on the establishment of a "new order in East Asia."On the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Fumi Konoe delivered a radio speech on the establishment of a "new order in East Asia," saying that "Japan has not used too much military power this time, and has achieved impressive results. It still maintains sufficient national power to prevent any foreign interference."Konoe advocated that China, Japan, and Manchukuo should unite closely and jointly undertake the task of "defending" East Asia.Japan is "eager to see the establishment of a new order in East Asia" and "Japan is determined to eradicate the communist influence hidden behind Chiang's regime's 'long war of resistance'". "As for the national government, as long as it restores the true Chinese spirit, abandons its previous policies, reforms its members, and participates in this work as a completely new regime, we will not refuse." The second statement issued during the Sino-Japanese War.This shows that the Japanese government has given up its tough attitude of "not taking the National Government as an opponent", but still insists that Chiang Kai-shek must step down.

On December 22, 1938, according to the prior agreement of Gao Zongwu, Mei Siping, Xi Yixian, Imai Takeo and others, Konoe issued a third statement, which was the statement that Wang Jingwei, the vice president of the Kuomintang, responded to by telegram.The statement pretended that what Japan wanted from China was neither territory nor reparations, but only China's participation in the construction of the "New East Asian Order".Japan not only "respected China's sovereignty", but also "prepared to consider giving up consular jurisdiction and returning the concession".The statement also put forward the three principles of "Sino-Japanese friendship", "communist defense together" and "economic cooperation" as the basic conditions to induce surrender to the Kuomintang authorities.Konoe's so-called "China-Japan friendship" means that China, Japan, and "Manchu" are integrated into one, and China recognizes the puppet Manchukuo.The so-called "joint anti-communist" means that China and Japan should conclude an "anti-communist agreement". During the effective period of the agreement, Japan can station troops in designated places in China, and use Inner Mongolia as a "special anti-communist" area.The so-called "economic cooperation" is to recognize that the Japanese have the freedom to live and do business in mainland China, especially in North China and Inner Mongolia, and should provide Japan with convenience in the development and utilization of resources.It is worth noting that in Jinwei's third statement, he did not publicly mention Chiang Kai-shek's resignation.On the 26th of the same month, Chiang Kai-shek delivered a speech refuting Konoe's statement, pointing out that "his intention is that the world does not understand the true meaning of his so-called 'New Order of East Asia', and thinks that it can be confused by it." Chiang Kai-shek pointed out that "New Order of East Asia" The true meaning of this is "destroying China to dominate East Asia".He rejected the surrender conditions proposed by Japan, thinking that "compared with Hirota's three principles before, this is so much more extensive and vicious, and the enemy is still trying to persuade China to accept it."What Japan lacks today is just waiting for China to be deceived and threatened by it, to succumb to it, and to fall into its trap.

The reason why Chiang Kai-shek rejected Japan's conditions was because he knew that if he accepted Japan's "New East Asian Order", he would close China's door, break the Nine-Power Pact, and break with Britain and the United States.On the other hand, accepting "joint defense against communism" means abolishing the Sino-Soviet non-aggression treaty.In this way, China will be completely isolated internationally.But despite what Chiang Kai-shek said, Japan has not yet "despaired" Chiang Kai-shek, and the Japanese government has not stopped trying to induce Chiang Kai-shek to surrender. In January 1939, the new Japanese Prime Minister Kiichiro Hiranuma made a speech in the parliament, clearly announcing that the Japanese government had given up the conditions for Chiang Kai-shek to step down. Necessary." In order to cooperate with "containing China with China", in terms of economy, Japan implemented the strategy of "supporting war with war".

With the expansion of Japan's war of aggression against China, the contradictions between Britain, the United States, France and Japan have also deepened. In November 1938, the governments of Britain, the United States, and France simultaneously protested against Japan's blockade of the Yangtze River.On December 30 of the same year, the U.S. government raised objections to Konoe's statement, emphasizing that no country has the right to unilaterally abolish the treaty, which means that the "New East Asian Order" cannot be recognized as a substitute for the "Open Door" principle. On January 14, 1939, the British government also sent a note to Japan, saying: The British government could not understand how Konoe’s pledge to respect China’s sovereignty could be reconciled with the Japanese government’s intention to force China to come under its control.On the 17th of the same month, the French government also issued a statement to uphold the nine-nation pact.According to statistics, from July 1937 to December 1939, there were a total of 382 incidents in which the Japanese army violated the interests of the United States in China, with an average of one incident occurring in less than three days, while the Japanese government responded to only 179 incidents.

In order to enable the Chongqing government to continue the war of resistance and consume Japan, with the changes in the international situation, Britain and the United States also provided certain assistance to the Nationalist government at an appropriate time.As far as Chiang Kai-shek was concerned, he had placed great hopes on British and American assistance since the beginning of the Anti-Japanese War.As early as January 30, 1938, Chiang Kai-shek sent a letter to Roosevelt requesting assistance, saying in the letter: "It is absolutely necessary for him to hope that the United States will provide assistance....Our urgent wish is that the United States will at this time be economically and materially Provide assistance to China so that the war of resistance can continue..." The United States replied that the method of aiding China was being studied and "we will adopt it when the time is right."In order to win aid from the United States, the Chongqing Nationalist Government appointed Hu Shi, known as the Friend of the United States, as its ambassador to the United States in September 1938. At the same time, it also sent Chen Guangfu, the general manager of the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank trusted by the U.S. Treasury Secretary Morgenthau, to the United States to request a loan. On October 15, Chiang Kai-shek sent another letter to Roosevelt requesting assistance, and said in the letter: "If a huge loan is granted...then we will have greater strength and effect in resisting the Japanese attack." This telegram was sent Before long, Guangzhou and Wuhan fell one after another.The U.S. is showing hesitation and showing signs of retreating.Chen Guangfu reported to Chongqing that: When Morgenthau reported the loan to Roosevelt, he said: "In the past three or four days, first Guangzhou fell, and today Hankou has fallen, and there are rumors about Chiang Kai-shek. Frankly speaking, I don't know whether I should respond or not." This matter is being carried out, because I don't know which government in China I will be dealing with." Roosevelt decided to wait for the time being, depending on Chiang Kai-shek's movements. On October 31, Chiang Kai-shek issued a letter to the people of the whole country, reaffirming his determination to resist the Japanese War, and preaching that he would rather be broken than complete. On November 1, Chiang Kai-shek called Roosevelt again, listing the main points of the letter to the nation to meet the conditions put forward by Roosevelt.The US side initially stated that the tung oil loan of US$20 million could be confirmed in principle.After hard work, the tung oil loan was finally approved by the President of the United States on December 15.Prior to this, on November 3, the Japanese government had issued a statement calling itself the "New Order of East Asia" in an attempt to replace the principle of "open door" with the "New Order of East Asia".Since the U.S. State Department firmly opposes intergovernmental loans, the U.S. and China agreed that the U.S. Export-Import Bank and China’s World Trade Corporation (prepared by China Renaissance Commercial Corporation in the U.S.) would provide China with a commercial loan of 25 million U.S. dollars. , used to buy American goods, but not to buy important industrial and mining products such as arms, aircraft, gasoline, etc. China sold 220,000 tons of tung oil to the United States in five years to repay the principal and interest.The annual interest is 4.5%, repayable every six months. On February 8, 1939, the two sides formally signed the agreement. On November 8, 1939, Chiang Kai-shek said at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Fifth Central Committee of the Kuomintang: "I explained at the Fifth Plenary Session that 'the War of Resistance to the End' should be restored to the status quo before the July 7th Incident. If the entire international community judges the outcome of the Sino-Japanese war, it must persist until it ends at the same time as the world war, and that is the real solution.” "The cause of war in Europe has taken place... We have obtained a basis on which the Chinese problem will be solved along with the world's problems."This shows his fundamental understanding of the war of resistance and foreign aid, and he completely pinned the future of China's war of resistance on external forces.On September 27, 1940, the Triple Alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan was established, and Chiang Kai-shek was overjoyed. He wrote in his diary: "If this is not what I want in terms of the War of Resistance and the international situation, the victory of the War of Resistance is determined. "At that time, the direction of Germany, Italy and Japan's actions was unclear, whether the German army would attack west or east, and whether the Japanese army would advance south or north, were all unknown. However, in any case, whether China could hold back Japan's large forces and reduce pressure on other areas was a matter of course. An issue of common concern to Britain and the United States.

In this international situation, Chiang Kai-shek began to redraft his "international strategy."He believes that no matter whether the Japanese army advances southward or northward, they will no longer be able to advance westward, and Chongqing will be safe and sound. Therefore, "China-Japan peace talks are the 'lowest policy', and... joining the British and American fronts is the 'middle policy'." There is still discord between them, and if they engage in it rashly, "I will be hated by Russia, and I will be urged to sever ties with me." "...Only taking the Japanese pirates as the enemy and adopting a neutral policy towards Britain, the United States, Germany and Italy, waiting for Russia to express its attitude...I have decided to choose....It is the only best policy at present."Chiang Kai-shek also believed that the Sino-Japanese war "is bound to be a part of the world war", but now that the United States and the Soviet Union have not yet joined the war, there is no need to rush to express their position.Once Japan advances southward, it can protect its own strength, "waiting for the result of the U.S.-Japanese naval battle." "If its strength is further damaged, Russia will help the CCP organize the Chinese Soviet People's Government... As long as I can maintain the existing strength, Russia will Nor can they actively harm me."However, the actual diplomatic activities of the Chongqing Nationalist Government showed that apart from preserving their strength and resisting Japan passively, as the international situation changed, they used Chiang Kai-shek's top, middle and bottom strategies alternately or simultaneously.

As Zhou Enlai pointed out on November 1, 1940, Chiang Kai-shek believed that "he was the best at both ways, so he hid in Chengdu himself, asked his wife and the Anglo-American faction to bring in the Anglo-American, Zhu Jiahua, and Gui Yongqing Ladd, and let the pro-Japanese faction negotiate peace, Let Sun (Ke) and Feng (Yuxiang) kiss the Soviet Union." Chiang Kai-shek believed that because Japan's war of aggression against China was generally consistent with the foreign expansion policies of Germany and Italy, it would inevitably damage the interests of the United States, Britain and other countries.Therefore, he firmly believes that China's situation of fighting alone will surely turn around.

In late October 1939, at the Second Nanyue Military Conference, Chiang Kai-shek encouraged his generals.He said that since Germany and Italy launched a war of aggression in Europe, the wars between the East and the West have been closely linked. Therefore, China's war of resistance is by no means isolated and helpless.Chiang Kai-shek knew it well: it was impossible for the Japanese to defeat China, and it was impossible for the Chinese to drive the Japanese army out of China alone, at least in the short term.Therefore, he pointed out at the meeting that the solution of China's problems depends on the solution of world problems; the solution of China's problems will surely receive the support and assistance of democratic countries in the world.The future task of our country and our army is to resolutely resist the war, never negotiate peace, never compromise, and strive to win the final victory.

1940 was a year of rapid turmoil in the world, and the political situation in Japan was unstable.Hitler's "heavy military exploits" in the European battlefield made the fascist monsters headed by Hideki Tojo in the Japanese military force salivate, and they wanted to get the resources in Southeast Asia. On the fourth day of Konoe's second cabinet formation, a new national policy was passed.The basic purpose of this national policy is to achieve Japanese hegemony, that is to say, to establish a "New Order of Greater East Asia" under the leadership of Japan.To this end, domestically, we must mobilize the whole country, step up military expansion and prepare for war, and implement a military planned economy; externally, we must sign a tripartite treaty with Germany and Italy, sign a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, and try to maintain "reconciliation" with the United States; Induce surrender, promote the convergence of Jiang and Wang, and strive for an early solution to China's problems.

In short, Japan wants to take advantage of the European War to invade Southeast Asia or further afield, seize strategic materials, and plunder the colonies of Britain and the United States.