Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan 31 The Contribution to the War Effort of Madame Chiang Kai-Shek Known vario ' usly as The Brains of China , ' ' Madame Dictator , and ' ' China ' s First Lady , the Chinese-born, American-educated wife of General Chiang Kai-Shek has certainly had her hand in the destinies of the Chinese Republic. Born in 1898, little Mei-Ling Soong, the youngest of the three famous sisters, is internationally famous for her courage, devotion and incalculable contribution to the struggle of her co ' untry. Her father, a rich and powerful Chinese gentleman, spent much of his youth in the United States. Realizing the value of this early training, he sought a democratic education for all his children. It has stood them in good ' stead. His sons are China ' s richest bankers. His youngest daughter is Madame Chiang, another, Madame Sun Yat Sen, whilst the third, a clever politician, is married to H. H. Kung. The Soongs are a Christian family. When in 1927 the General- issimo asked Madame Soong for Mei Ling ' s hand in marriage, permis- sion was granted only on condition that Chiang become a Christian. He promised to study the matter and three years later was baptized in the house of his mother-in-law. This is but an example of the in- fluence his wife exerts on him China ' s New Life Movement originated in the minds of English missionaries who brought their ideas to Madame Chiang. She in turn, took them to the Generalissimo, who appointed her chief of the new idea. Based on four old Chinese virtues, courtesy, service, honour, and honesty, this movement has done much to ease the lot of the poor peasant. It has built him a better drainage system and taught him a more sanitary way of preparing food. Madame Chiang has exerted tremendous influence in arousing sympathy for her war-torn country. She has written many articles and pamphlets attempting to show that China ' s cause is the cause for democracy the whole world over. Two of her latest books, China in Peace and War , and This is Our China , have been widely read by admirers of China ' s splendid national spirit. Through her efforts, help in the form of bandages and medical supplies has been sent by American women. As a giver of first aid, Madame Chiang does not ask anyone to do anything she is unwilling to undertake herself. She has dressed soldiers ' wounds, done much sewing, and takes an active part in other forms of relief. She has

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30 The Branksome Slogan Lament (By Herr Hitler, peering out of his funk- hole in the Berchstergarden). On Monday, when the sun is high, I watch the Blenheims as they fly, And very sadly say ' ' Goodbye , To several Messcherschmitzes. On Tuesday, when the sky is blue, It worries me a little, too, That the Blenheim pilots ' aim is true In bombing German Fritzes. On Wednesday, when the wind is still, It makes me feel distinctly ILL To watch the Curtis bombers fill My cabbage patch with pitzes. On Thursday, under snow and sleet, It gives me coldness in der feet To see our Heinkel planes retreat. All filled with holes and splitzes. On Friday, in the pouring rain, It gifs me in der neck a pain — Mein household they have bombed again, Mein garage is in bitzes. On Saturday, when skies are grey. The Whitney bombers visits pay, They dodge around the clouds all day And score no end of hitzes. On Sunday, thunder rolls afar. My hopes have not come up to par, The ' ' krieg is raging fiercely — Ja, (I wonder where the ' ' Blitz is). JILL MILLIGAN (Form V C).

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32 The Branksome Slogan urg-ed Chinese society women to take up war- work. Going from village to village, she arouses new hope in the hearts and minds of the people, but leaves them in full realization of their tremendous task. A most important part of her daily routine is the overseeing of schools in Nanking where fifty-thousand war orphans are stationed. These children, left homeless by Japanese air-raids, would probably starve if it were not for the protecting arm of the Chinese National Defence Organization, headed by this remarkable woman. Her sound judgment and boundless energy have accomplished many thing ' s which the Government has been unable to undertake. Industrial owners have at last consented to the movement of their factories out of war zones. Peasants are being supplied with simple hand-looms with which to weave cheap cotton. In the early stages of the war, when it was absolutely necessary for aeroplanes to be obtained cheaply and quickly, the Generalissimo could trust no one but his wife to negotiate with foreign officials and to get the best bargains for China. Thus, she became secretary -general of the Chinese Commission on Aeronautical Affairs. Again, after the capture of her husband in the Stan Mutiny, it was she who kept their friends from firing on the mutineers and arousing the country to civil strife. Ample proof is shown of Madame Chiang ' s value to her country by the repeated attacks on the part of the Japanese to capture her. She is forbidden to stay in the same village two nights in succession. Too often, Japanese bombers have attacked the locality only a few hours after her departure. Thus, it can be truthfully said of Madame Chiang Kai-Shek that she has converted her husband ' s desire for a United China from a mere political task to a crusade. Every freedom-loving Chinese is ready to lay down his life for this sweet-faced woman. MARION CROSS, (Form II A).