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Ever since America's decisions to provide us with planes for our air defense, we have been building China's largest airfield and bomber runway to house them. Our workers had few tools to work with- to smooth off uneven plateaus, to mix concrete, to pave ramps. But we had the man power. You have probably seen pictures of our crews of workmen mixing concrete with their legs, breaking stones with small hammers, and the crudest tools. As the airfield nears completion the bombers continue to arrive in larger numbers, thanks to the cooperation of you Americans, who, by making your own planes available for national defense, have freed others to be sent to nations in distress.

I am going to fly to Canada on Tuesday as a representative of the Chinese Participating Committee of the United China Relief drive which, as you know, is your best way to help provide my hungry people with food, shelter, and medicines. I am going to fly in a mass flight to Toronto to help launch the Chinese Red Cross drive in Canada. I'm sure they will be extremely interested to know about what has happened here today- to know that you Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the job which lies ahead- and that you are preparing to face it with [[crossed out]] resignation [[/crossed out]] determination and courage.

Again may I congratulate you on your successful efforts to establish a volunteer body of civilian pilots? I am confident you will be of the greatest service to your country in the work which lies ahead.

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