The chief executive said Mao Tse-tung is reducing the great civilization of China to rubble. He took note of the abuse and humiliation that have led scientists, writers, artists, teachers, and scholars to take their own lives. He called attention to Communist misuse of young people in the notorious Red Guard.
Yet all of Mao's wickedness, bribes, and suppressions have not been able to win the people of the mainland away from faith in the Three Principles of the People of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and in the unceasing inspiration of Confucianism. Workers and peasants have risen against Mao by the millions, the President said, and army forces and leaders have entered the anti-Communist struggle.
President Chiang quoted from a number of letters received from the mainland. One said more than four-fifths of mainland people hate Mao and Lin Piao. Another said those living under Communism await counter-attack by forces of the National Government. The writer pledged that the people of the mainland will become the vanguard in the struggle to overthrow Communism.
"This is the moment for the youth of China to serve the Chinese nation and mankind with supreme effort through the Three Principles of the People," the President said. "I therefore call on all Chinese youths and comrades at home and abroad:
"First, to establish an 'Anti-Mao National Salvation United Front'." President Chiang said occupations, races, party affiliations, and background are of no consequence. The only requirement is that freedom fighters join the anti-Communist ranks.
"Second, to assemble the following elements for the Anti-Mao National Salvation United Forces: All awakened Communist forces and militiamen, defecting armed forces units, anti-Communist organizations, and guerrilla forces on the mainland. They will be united with our National Revolutionary Forces in actions of national salvation. Those who counteract rebellion and power seizure, rebel against rebels, and seize power from power seizers may fight independently, undertake anti-Communist operations against the enemy's front or carry out liaison from within the enemy ranks. They will be given designations and positions and recognized as part of the Anti-Mao National Salvation United Forces and as detachments of the National Revolutionary Forces.
"Third, to expand the Anti-Mao National Salvation Youth Movement. Chinese youths on the mainland should influence one another and inspire uprisings ... They should mobilize themselves for combat operations in collaboration with counterattack and thus serve and save the country. They should strive to protect our historical and cultural heritage, counteract the Chinese Communist crimes which persecute the souls and attack the bodies of the intellectuals through 'struggle by peaceful means' and 'struggle by violence'. They should refuse to waste their lives and their blood as the tools of Mao's internal power seizure or external aggression, and finally they should contribute their wisdom and energy to the reconstruction of China from the debris of Communism. In these undertakings, everyone is in spirit a member of the China Youth Corps and part of the vanguard of the Anti-Mao National Salvation United Forces.
"Fourth, maintain close contact with our bases of freedom. I have ordered the radio and liaison stations of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu to keep in close touch with the youth of the mainland. Our underground forces in the enemy's rear are secretly arming themselves, taking the initiative and seeking to keep in contact with military and civilian forces that are anti-Mao. Whenever a revolt breaks out anywhere, we shall immediately airdrop supplies to the anti-Mao forces and then send troops to help them. Our compatriots at home and abroad must fight together to encircle the Chinese Communists. We shall use our political strength to create new circumstances and our military strength to win the final victory."
Underground reports from the mainland indicated a quick response to the President's summons. Red Guards were opposed by anti-Communist youth forces. Anti-Communist papers and pamphlets were prepared and widely distributed by young people. Sabotage of Communist installations increased sharply.
President Chiang also spoke in commendation of the Free China Relief Association, which has assumed responsibility for the relief and rehabilitation of refugees from the mainland for the last 17 years. FCRA also has carried out air and sea operations to deliver relief supplies and messages of good cheer to those living under Communist tyranny.
Since the "cultural revolution" began, the relief organization has stepped up assistance to intellectuals escaping from persecution by the Red Guards and other tools of Mao. From 1950 through 1966, FCRA assisted nearly 75,000 refugees and helped nearly 5 million persons in Taiwan and overseas communities. The FCRA operations have been of great importance in combating Chinese influences among overseas Chinese.
Spring brought an increasing number of distinguished visitors to the Republic of China. Among them were Australian Prime Minister Harold E. Holt, Thailand Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn, Peru's Vice President Dr. Mario Polar Ugarteche, and former U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon. All had extended conversations with President Chiang on the world situation.
The communique signed by President Chiang and Prime Minister Holt pledged joint efforts to strengthen the unity of the free nations against Communist aggression and to promote economic prosperity in the Asian and Pacific region.
Prime Minister Holt went to Kaohsiung to see the new Export Processing Zone. He spoke out frankly about Sino-Australian problems, including Australia's recent recognition of Outer Mongolia. He said the announcement of recognition was made before his visit so there would be no indication that the action had even the tacit approval of the Republic of China. Australia has indicated it does not intend to open diplomatic relations with Outer Mongolia at this time.
The communique of President Chiang and Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn deplored the increase in Communist aggression, and urged augmented support of South Vietnam. The two leaders foresaw a prolonged war in Vietnam as a result of the Communist refusal to seek a peaceful solution. They expressed gratification with the economic and political progress of their two countries.
Prime Minister Thanom saw something of Taiwan's growing industrialization and of its military strength.
Vice President Polar made a down-island trip during his six-day stay and had conversations with government leaders about the Republic of China's increased efforts to expand cooperative ties with the free republics of Central and South America. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sampson Shen has just completed an extensive tour of Latin American countries.
Former Vice President Nixon frequently visits Taipei to consult with President Chiang, whom he regards as one of the world's foremost authorities on Asia and Communist aggression. Nixon said he opposes any coalition government for Vietnam. The subject matter of the discussions with President Chiang was not revealed but was believed to have included the role of Peiping in the Vietnam war.
Seventeen of the Republic of China's ambassadors came from every part of the world to participate in a conference on ways and means to promote international friendship and support for free China's cause.
In a declaration, the envoys said they were returning to their posts to tell host governments and peoples about developments on the mainland and plans of the Republic of China for coping with continuing Communist aggression.
Each ambassador reported on the situation in the country to which he is assigned. They were briefed by Foreign Minister Wei Tao-ming and saw President Chiang and other leaders.
Even as the ambassadors were meeting, decisions and messages of encouragement came from the United States.
Defense Secretary Robert McNamara told Congress: "The Republic of China continues to be threatened by Peiping's designs. Our security commitment to the defense of the Republic of China and the Pescadores remains essential to the survival of the Republic of China, and so do its own efforts."
He cited progress by free China in improving logistics, maintaining its equipment, and paying a larger share of its defense costs. Then he added, "We will have to continue to supply China with certain types of military equipment which cannot be produced locally or which are beyond its present means to purchase.
"Provision of grant assistance remains essential, for example, to ensure the maintenance of effective air and naval forces, which constitute the first line of defense for an island 100 miles from the Chinese mainland." Such aid, he said, is essential to the self-interest of the United States and the free world posture in the Far East.
McNamara did not say how much money the Department of Defense is asking for the Republic of China. But he did stipulate that 88 per cent of the US$282 million asked for the Far East in fiscal 1968 would go to the Republics of China and Korea. This means an amount of US$248 million for the two countries.
Two members of the House of Representatives - Robert L.F. Sikes of Florida and O.C. Fisher of Texas - spoke out in favor of increased military assistance to the Republic of China. Fisher said the level should be several times higher than that of recent years.
Sikes said: "It is time to give primary consideration to the development of those countries which have clearly indicated their friendship and their willingness to be counted. Foremost among these is the Republic of China, whose friendship has never been in doubt."
Madame Chiang Kai-shek saluted the Chinese Women's Anti-Aggression League on the 17th anniversary of its establishment. She is the founder of CWAAL, the Republic of China's largest women's organization.
Four hundred of the 250,000 members attended an anniversary dinner at the Grand Hotel in Taipei. Madame Chiang established the league with only 58 members.
Addressing the dinner celebration, Madame Chiang recalled that 17 years ago she led a small group of new members to the offshore island of Kinmen. They found that many of the soldiers there were suffering from eye diseases spread by swirling dust kicked up by the incessant wind.
CWAAL rallied behind a campaign to forest the island. Half a million saplings were sent from Taiwan. Today Kinmen is known as the "green land". Even the heavy Communist shelling of 1958 did not destroy all the tree shelter. Today's stands of timber are large and thriving.
The First Lady also spoke of the shortage of clothing in the armed forces in 1950. In only two months, 500,000 warm jackets were made and distributed to servicemen through the auspices of CWAAL.
Other projects of CWAAL have included the construction of 38,000 housing units for military dependents, the making of more than 5 million uniforms, establishment of kindergartens and orphanages, and programs of environmental sanitation and first aid.
CWAAL has 53 branches and 366 sub-divisions throughout the island.
In a message of welcome to the seventh annual conference of Rotary International's seventh annual conference, Madame Chiang said: "If the ideals of Rotary International were practiced in earnest by peoples in every part of the globe, there would be no selfishness, no ill will, no aggression by the strong, and no exploitation of the weak, and everyone would stand to gain."
Vice President and Premier C.K. Yen addressed the meeting of more than 800 Rotarians from free China, Hongkong, Kowloon, and Macao. He said the social services of Rotarians have been of great help to the people of Taiwan, and urged Rotary to stand strongly behind "the noble cause of human dignity and democracy".
Two important meetings have been scheduled for Taipei this summer and fall.
More than 250 overseas Chinese will come from all over the world for a conference in August. Representatives of the 18.5 million Chinese residing overseas are expected to call for anti-Communist unity and a dynamic program of action.
In September or October, the World Anti-Communist League will be brought into formal existence as successor to the Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League, which was established in 1954.
As many as 50 countries are expected to send representatives to the meeting.
APACL began as an organization of free Asian peoples but in recent years has attracted anti-Communist leaders from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Australia and New Zealand.
Ku Cheng-kang, president of the China chapter of APACL, has announced plans for a world conference preparatory meeting in Taipei this month. Expected to attend are representatives from Australia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The United Nations Development Program has agreed to assist the Republic of China solve problems of urban development. A three-year project will cost US$1.5 million, half to come from the U.N. and half from the ROC.
An Urban and Housing Development Committee has been established under the Council for International Economic Cooperation and Development. There are 50 members, including eight consultants from UNDP.
Besides housing, the program will seek the improvement of traffic conditions and public transportation, public utility systems, flood control and drainage, sewerage, water supply, and municipal administration and finance involving city and regional planning, and in-service training for housing and planning personnel.
Approximately US$17.5 million in technical assistance has been received from UNDP in the last 17 years. This places China 14th among the 103 aid recipients. One of the important projects now under way involves vocational training for industry. This four year program will cost more than US$2 million.
Mrs. Astrid A. Monson, one of the U.N. advisers to the housing committee, said government and people should double Taiwan expenditures for housing. At present only 2 per cent of national income and 10 per cent of family income are spent on residential dwellings.
She has recommended establishment of a strong Central Housing Administration. Housing presently is the concern of seven agencies of the Taiwan Provincial Government as well as of city and county governments.
Another sign of Taiwan progress is the continuing effort to put piped water in island homes. When the current US$35 million program is completed in 1974, about half the population will be served with potable running water.
At present about 4.5 million people or about 38 per cent of the population - have running water in their houses.
Funds for the project will come from taxes and international loans. The United Nations Children's Fund is already helping.
Some 5 million people are drinking untreated water and 2.5 million are drinking treated well water. Three hundred rural water works have been established in the last 10 years and 725 more are planned, each to serve from 500 to 2,500 people.
Communications are booming, too. Two years hence Taipei and 12 satellite towns will be linked in the Greater Taipei dial telephone network. Dial service already links Taipei to half of the 12.
Taipei has 60,000 telephone subscribers and the number will be increased by 13,000 by 1969. A US$13 million World Bank loan is sought for expansion of telephone circuits, including microwave long-distance relays.
Some 10,000 of Taipei's oldest telephones are being replaced by modern instruments.
Those who don't have a telephone can write. The people of Taiwan write more letters per capita than any other East Asians except the Japanese. The frequency is a letter every two weeks. Japan leads with three letters every two weeks.
Airmail accounts for 32 per cent of post office business. The more than 2,000 post offices have an average of three employees each.
Transportation also is receiving increased attention. In Taipei, the reconstruction of the Fuhsing bridge across the railroad tracks on Chungshan North Road will be completed soon. East-west and north-south traffic will be speeded through the heart of the city.
Shipping is making good progress. The island's largest port at Kaohsiung will have a second entrance to relieve congestion. The new portal will be in use five years hence, and the project will be completed in 10 years.
Keelung, the port for Taipei, also is undergoing an expansion that will raise cargo handling capacity to 7 million metric tons by 1971. In 1966, about 4.8 million metric tons was handled.
Ship delays already have been reduced at Keelung. The average waiting time for discharge is now less than six hours. However, harbor authorities say that 7 million metric tons may be close to the maximum for Keelung. Suggestions have been made for another port in northern Taiwan, perhaps at the mouth of the Tamsui river, which once accommodated small vessels.
The Foreign Ministry announced that the technical assistance programs to friendly states are growing fast.
The count is now 28, mostly agricultural teams, with personnel of about 1,000 working in 23 countries of Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Seventeen farm demonstration missions in Africa account for more than 500 of those serving overseas. Medical and engineering personnel in Libya total 228.
In Vietnam are agricultural, power, medical, and harbor engineering personnel.
The Republic of China is casting its bread on the waters. World events indicate that some of it has already come back.