"Path of Democracy"

On the eve of China's greatest triumph --the formal surrender of the Japanese at Nanking (see INTERNATIONAL)--indefatigable Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek looked ahead. To his nation of 450,000,000 he proclaimed:

"On this occasion of nationwide rejoicing, I wish to make known to our people the most important and fundamental domestic policies of the National Government. . . .

"First, the fundamental object of our national revolution ... is ... the establishment of a new China based on the Three People's Principles. . . .*

"Our people should be given ample opportunity to rest and recuperate. . . . The heavy load on the shoulders of the farmers and workers should be reduced at once."

To ease the burden, the Generalissimo suspended military conscription throughout the country for one year, promised land allotments to all veterans, decreed a land-tax holiday for one year in the once-occupied provinces and for the following year in unoccupied provinces. He went on:

"Second ... we shall brook no further delay in the inauguration of constitutional democracy. . . . The convocation of the National Assembly is an indispensable procedure whereby the National Government may return . . . power to the people. . . ."

Answer, Concession. This was an answer to the Communists, who have demanded postponement of the Assembly scheduled to meet on Nov. 12. But the Generalissimo also made concessions. The Government, he said, would consult "all leaders" before convoking the Assembly, would also "consider a reasonable increase" in delegates. (Meanwhile, Communist Leader Mao Tse-tung, still conferring in Chungking with the Generalissimo, publicly reiterated the Communist demand for a meeting of all political parties to arrange elections for the Assembly.)

Then, in a ringing affirmation of an old policy, the Generalissimo pledged the legalization of all political parties and the abolition of wartime restrictions on free press, speech and association. "Only thus," he declared, "can we tread the path of democracy traversed by the United States and Great Britain and establish a model democratic state in the Far East.

"Third, national unity is the absolute requirement of a modern state . . . the prerequisite of democracy and constitutionalism. . . .

"The most important condition for national unity is the nationalization of all armed forces in the country. There should be no private army . . . nor should armed forces be kept by any political party. . . . [Such] disreputable practices . . . are relics of the days of the war lords. They should not be ... tolerated in national rebuilding. . . . Only when armed forces are no longer guided by the private wishes of a political party can national unity be secured. . . ."

A final plea--and admonition--was intended for Communist ears: "I solemnly state today that all armed forces, if they submit to ... the Government, shall receive the same treatment without discrimination. . . . Unity of military command and integrity of political authority are factors that determine the survival or extinction of a country. . . ."

*The three principles, as formulated by Sun Yatsen: Nationalism, or a free and equal China; People's Rights, or a democratic, constitutional China; People's Livelihood, or an economically progressive China.

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