SDHF Newsletter No.445 The Road to the Greater East Asian War No. 47 Ch.12-1

THE ROAD TO THE GREATER EAST ASIAN WAR
Nakamura Akira, Dokkyo University Professor Emeritus
(English Translation: Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact)
Part 47, Chapter 12: Chinese Civil War and the Xi’an Incident – 1

October 31, 2025

Chiang Kai-shek believed that once communism has permeated the minds of people, the damage cannot be undone. He was also convinced that if national strength were bolstered, the Chinese could repel any Japanese invasion. The proper way to do things was to first secure peace in China, and then address external problems.

In keeping with his determination to strengthen national morale, Chiang also advocated and promoted the New Life Movement, a campaign that sought to revive the four cardinal Chinese moral values (propriety, righteousness, integrity, and moral conscience), and apply them to modern times. In February 1934 Chiang launched the movement, delivering a speech entitled “Essentials of the New Life Movement.” In it he maintained that other nations looked down on China not because it lacked military strength, but because its people were deficient in knowledge and morality.

He referred to the Japanese educational system and the Japanese way of living, arguing that both tangible and intangible aspects of Japanese daily life conformed to the four moral values, i.e., propriety, righteousness, integrity, and moral conscience. He believed that the resulting attitude toward life was the driving force behind the creation of the wealthy and powerful nation Japan had become.

In December 1934 the Diplomatic Review issued by the Chinese government carried an essay titled “Enemy or Friend?” It maintains that errors made since the Manchurian Incident — errors affecting the relationship between China and Japan — should be attributed not to one or the other, but to both nations.

Chinese errors included (1) missing opportunities (2) misjudging Japan (3) overconfidence in China’s strength (errors in assessing other countries) and (5) internal conflicts. Chiang’s verdict was, “We must forge a lasting plan for our nation and its people by suppressing our emotions and forming an alliance with Japan. Unless the Chinese people discard the perspective created by hatred of Japan, the obstacles separating our two nations shall never be overcome, and we shall both be ruined.

Enumeration of Japanese errors follows: (1) misunderstanding conditions in China (2) misunderstanding the GMD (3) misunderstanding Chinese mentality (4) diplomatic blunders, and (5) mistakes of their own creation.

The conclusion of this essay was that the conflict between China and Japan would be resolved if Japan simply returned Manchuria; thenceforth, China’s and Japan’s hearts would beat as one. This argument tells us that Chiang’s perception of Japan was not sufficiently discerning. Nevertheless, “Enemy or Friend?” is a very noteworthy effort, as it expresses Chiang’s sincere opinions about improving Sino-Japanese relations.

URL: 　 https://www.sdh-fact.com/book-article/2390
　PDF: 　 https://www.sdh-fact.com/CL/Road47E.pdf

Moteki Hiromichi, Chairman
Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact