Viewing page 131 of 131

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS IN HOUSE OF LORDS, LONDON, ON JANUARY 25th, 1945.
[---]

"Perhaps this would be an appropriate moment for me to refer briefly to the situation in China to which the noble Viscount Lord Samuel has referred this afternoon. First I will say a word about the supply routes which he mentioned and the importance of which of course we all recognise. I think we all of us heard with great joy the news which was published two days ago that the Burma Road had been reopened and that China was no longer isolated by land from the rest of the world. That is an imperishable tribute to the unconquerable courage of these forces British, Indian, African, Chinese and American who have been engaged in the Burma campaign.

"Burma is a very long way off. It is perhaps not always quite in the forefront of our minds but that campaign will go down as one of the most remarkable achievements in military history fighting against a savage foe in appalling climatic conditions in a country where it was necessary to advance over mountains and through jungles right and across the normal lines of communication of the country. In spite of all those difficulties and handicaps, the Allied Forces have driven the enemy from their strongholds and are now debouching on the valleys of the Irrawaddy and the Burmese Plains. This week, by opening the Burma Road, the troops engaged in that campaign have achieved one of their main strategic objectives and we and the Chinese people owe them our heartfelt thanks, but I would emphasize that it would be unwise to expect too much from the opening of the Burma Road. It must be, for one thing, some time before it is in full operation. Moreover, a single road is clearly limited in the amount which can be carried on it but there is no doubt that the opening of the Road is a most encouraging and a most important development and we all sincerely welcome it as the noble Viscount did this afternoon.

"Now, perhaps, he would wish me to add a word or two about the situation in China itself. As the House knows, there has been no secret about it. The position in China in recent months has given rise to legitimate anxiety. The Japanese advance towards Kewiyang at one time constituted an extremely serious military menace and it looked as if Chungking itself might be threatened. Fortunately, I understand that our latest information is that that threat has now receded and I am told that measures to prevent its recurrence are being taken by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek with the able co-operation of his American Allies who, as Your Lordships know, have undertaken the main responsibility for direct assistance to China.

"The noble Viscount also asked for some information about the position regarding the differences between the Chinese Government and the Communist Movement in China. These differences of course all the friends of China must deplore. They represent an internal problem of China with which other nations perhaps are not strictly concerned and we can only hope that that Chinese with their long tradition of civilization and their genius for compromise will find a basis of settlement which restores the unity of the country were such settlement to be achieved. I can assure the House that no one would rejoice more than His Majesty's Government. There have, I believe, been unfounded suggestions in some quarters that His Majesty's Government are a little lukewarm on the question of a restoration of the unity of China. I do not know from whence these suggestion emanate but, at any rate, I am very glad of this opportunity if I can to kill them stone dead once and for all. The deep and abiding friendship and sympathy which exists between this country and China is not based, as Your Lordships know, merely upon a community of interests deriving from the war: it goes much deeper than that. Our association has been close in the past and it is our hope that on the basis of absolute equality which is enshrined in the treaty of 1942 it will be even closer in the future. It is the earnest desire of His Majesty's Government to see China strong, united and prosperous and able to play again her full part in the world.

"I have dealt with this question some little length but I feel that the situation in China is one that should be an I am sure, is of the highest interest and importance, not only to your Lordships se but to the people of this country."