In the limpid mountain streams, schools of fish unceasingly fought their way against the current, like soldiers advancing in formation against a hostile force. A young man was often observed watching them with rapt attention. Once he was heard to say, after noting that fish resolutely renewed their efforts to swim upstream although repeatedly swept backward by the current: "In the same way men have to fight against the odds of life, often repulsed but never despairing."
This young man later turned out to be one of China's greatest statesmen. His name is Chiang Kai-shek.
Some elementary ideas regarding perseverance were certainly implanted in Chiang's mind when he was watching the fish swimming upstream. In his 40 years of leading the nation, he was to suffer more grievously than any other man in modern Chinese history: warlords, coups d'etat, Japanese invasion, and worst of all, the Communist rebellion.
The northern warlords he suppressed in a famous expedition. The Japanese he defeated after eight years of bitter fighting. He emerged from coup after coup safe and sound, strength and prestige augmented. But after a lifetime's struggle with Communism, the end is not yet. At 75, rallying the free Chinese on the island province of Taiwan, he is determined to fight back to the mainland and liberate more than 500 million compatriots from under tyrannical Communist rule.
The Chinese believe that men born in the highlands are generally of a sterner character and consequently better fitted for leadership, than those born on the plains below. It is said that those who breathe the high, rare air are simple, straightforward, honest and hard working—like the natives of Chikow.
The Chiangs have lived in Chikow for many generations. The family earned its living by hard and unremitting work on the land. Like the early settlers of midwestern America, they fought nature with their hands and forced her to yield. This is the stock of Chiang Kai-shek.
Though he toiled in the fields, Chiang's grandfather attained local renown as a scholar. His son, Chiang's father, followed in his footsteps. They were highly respected by other villagers.
Devoted Mother
Young Chiang's upbringing was almost entirely in the hands of a devoted mother, who was endowed with common sense as well as love for her son. She began by teaching him to distinguish right from wrong. After her husband's death in 1895, she uncomplainingly assumed the burden of taking care of the family.
At a dinner party for members of the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) in 1945, Chiang Kai-shek said:
Chikow, birthplace of Chiang Kai-shek, nestles at the foot of picturesque hills. (File photo)
"As you all know I was an orphan born in a poor family .... The efforts my mother made in fighting against the intrigues of neighboring ruffians certainly endowed her child, brought up in such an environment, with an indomitable spirit to fight for justice ... .I felt throughout my childhood that mother and I were fighting a helpless lone war. We were alone with no available or possible assistance, but our determination was never shaken, nor hope abandoned.
"Such an environment inevitably molded the shape of my personality. There is constantly a smouldering fire burning inside me, although I am reticent in giving vent to my emotions. Throughout my life, I have always been surrounded and sometimes overpowered by enemies; but I know how to endure. This is one of the peculiar characteristics of one who has constantly been oppressed."
During Chiang's boyhood, China, then under Manchu rule, suffered several humiliating defeats at the hands of Japan and the Western powers. A powerful reaction swept the country against those who were responsible. There were demands that China obtain the benefits of Western military training and equip herself with the weapons of modern warfare.
In these early years Chiang breathed an atmosphere created by actual or threatened foreign aggression, and of eager hope for reform and national rebirth. Undoubtedly he early developed a belief that Western education was essential if China was to regain power and prestige.
School Incident
An incident at the local school has been cited to show his early leaning toward democracy on the one hand and his fearlessness on the other. One of the teachers, lecturing about America, pointed out that the presidents of the United States considered themselves servants of the people and led simple lives without pomp. All the other students were astonished, but Chiang stood up and said: "The president of the United States of America is a man. There is nothing strange in his living in as simple a fashion as an ordinary citizen." He was 10 at the time, speaking in a country where the head of the state was held to be semi-divine.
While studying in the Fungching High School of Fenghua, Chiang cut off his queue to show his determination to go abroad for a higher education with the intention of helping to overthrow the Manchus. His relatives were alarmed. In the eyes of the authorities at that time, removal of the queue was little short of sacrilegious.
In May, 1906, Chiang left for Japan to study military science. Discovering that he would not be admitted to any Japanese academy without the recommendation of the Chinese government, he returned to China and entered the Paoting Military Academy.
As the only student in the academy without a queue, he was looked upon as possessing "dangerous thoughts." However, he distinguished himself by studying hard. His zeal and aptitude speedily won recognition from his instructors. Within a year he was certified as ready for advanced study in Japan.
Chiang attended the Shinbo Gokyo (Preparatory Military Academy) of Tokyo in 1907. At first he found it difficult to adjust himself to the unaccustomed and frugal Japanese diet. The Japanese contented themselves with one or two small bowls of rice, tiny portions of fish and a small dish of cabbage or radish. This was far from satisfying, but he determined to adapt himself to the new conditions. By tightening his belt, he slowly accustomed himself to the meager fare. Ever since he has been a moderate eater.
He was graduated from the Shinbo Gokyo in 1909, then joined the 13th Field Artillery Regiment of the Japanese Army with a view to becoming a cadet of the Japanese Millitary College. Despite severe winter weather, he always turned out promptly for the early morning parade, sometimes in deep snow. He performed all the menial duties of a recruit, including the grooming of horses and blacking of boots.
It was during this time that Chiang became acquainted with members of the Chinese revolutionary party who were in Japan to plan the overthrow of the Manchu regime. He became a member of the Tungmenghui (United League), which later was reorganized into the Kuomintang.
Most important of all was his meeting in Tokyo with Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who was to become the founder of the Republic. Dr. Sun seemed to have sensed immediately that the serious young man was destined to play an important part in the revolution. Pointing at Chiang Kai-shek, Dr. Sun said to Chen Chi-mei, another revolutionary leader: "That man will be the hero of our revolution; we need just such a man in our revolutionary movement."
Eager For Action
With the natural impatience of youth, Chiang was eager for action. The four and a half years that he spent in Japan were not wasted. When time came for patriotic use of his knowledge, he was ready.
Mother and son in family home at Chikow. (File photo)
The first shot of the revolution was fired in Wuchang on October 10,1911, and the echo reverberated in Tokyo. The moment had come. Chiang, together with two other Chinese cadets, asked for 48-hour leaves of absence and went to Tokyo, where they raised passage money. They bought cheap civilian suits and wore them to elude the gendarmes, who were searching for them after they failed to return to the barracks. They sent their uniforms and swords back to their regimental headquarters by parcel post, and sailed for China.
When the future generalissimo disembarked at Shanghai, the revolution was moving rapidly toward its first spectacular success. The 24-year-old Chiang was warmly welcomed by Chen Chi-mei, who had known him in Tokyo. Chen was secretly directing revolutionary activities in the city, which had not yet fallen.
Hangchow Captured
Chiang was assigned the task of capturing Hangchow, the capital city of Chekiang province. He led 100 daredevil patriots in an attack against the Chekiang governor's office, found the guards unprepared, and set fire to the building. The city was taken.
Chiang was appointed a regimental commander of the revolutionary force, entrusted with the task of training the troops, who were an unpromising lot. There was little money, few inducements. Yet Chiang succeeded in molding the conglomerate of rowdies, loafers and ne'er-do-wells into a regiment that gave a good account of itself.
The Kuomintang, in its desire to encourage political understanding in the armed forces, started a magazine for circulation among the soldiers, the Military Affairs Monthly. Chiang was chosen its editor.
When the second revolution against Yuan Shih-kai, the warlord who sought to restore the monarchy, broke out in July, 1913, Chiang joined forces with Chen Chi-mei in Shanghai. Yuan's troops in that city were well prepared and greatly outnumbered the revolutionary force. After three days of fierce fighting, the revolutionaries were repulsed. Chiang's courage and perseverance in the action won high praise from his comrades.
Back to Japan
Chiang then followed Dr. Sun Yat-sen to Japan, where they zealously continued the campaign to rescue the revolution from Yuan. Chiang was ordered to make a secret trip to Manchuria regarding a possible coup there. It was a mission of great danger. His findings convinced him that the hour had not yet struck in Manchuria.
He and Chen Chi-mei returned to Shanghai and launched another attack on Yuan's troops, but failed again for lack of support.
On May 18, 1916, Chen Chi-mei, Dr. Sun's faithful aide, was felled by Yuan Shih-kai's assassins. This was a personal blow to Chiang Kai-shek. A close friendship had developed between the two. In the career of every successful man there is usually an elder who has influenced him in the formative years. The old counselor in Chiang's life was Chen Chi-mei.
Yuan himself was not fated to last long. A third revolution was upon him. A nationwide uprising, touched off by the revolt of Yunnan and Kwangtung, suddenly surged up and Yuan was overthrown.
With the absence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his followers in the third revolution, national authority rapidly disintegrated in the successive squabbles among the rival warlords. China did not achieve a true national government until the Kuomintang was strong enough, under Chiang Kai-shek's leadership in the mid-20s, to move resolutely against these entrenched provincial militarists.
On June 4, 1921, Chiang Kai-shek lost his mother. Chiang always had been close to her and the death was a heavy blow. He remained in Fenghua, according to the Chinese custom, for an extended period of mourning.
He rejoined Dr. Sun in Kwangtung in 1922 in time to help the leader ward off a coup by Chen Chiung-ming, a Canton warlord. Dr. Sun at that time ", as president of an opposition government.
Chen, like all warlords, was fickle and untrustworthy. He had been loyal to Dr. Sun, but when word came that Dr. Sun was preparing to negotiate with the north with a view to unifying the nation, he revolted.
It was planned to kill Dr. Sun in the surprise assault. Some of his faithful followers succeeded in getting him through the rebel lines to the gunboat Yung Feng, which was stationed near Whampoa and remained loyal.
Chiang Kai-shek joined Dr. Sun on the Yung Feng. There the two began the ordeal of 56 days, waiting for relief. Provisions were scanty and the water supply uncertain. The confinement was prison-like, the heat sweltering. Chiang was always at the President's side, ready to offer assistance and cheer. He sometimes swept the deck like a common sailor, and frequently, under cover of night, went ashore at desperate risk to get provisions for Dr. Sun.
Finally, a British warship took Dr. Sun and his party aboard and conveyed them to Shanghai by way of Hongkong. They arrived on August 14.
The perilous days spent together on the Yung Feng convinced Dr: Sun of the capacity and practical judgment of the soldier who had served him so faithfully. From this time, Chiang became a leading figure in China and the world.
Canton Retaken
Troops loyal to Dr. Sun rallied to expel Chen Chiung-ming. Canton was recaptured and Dr. Sun was welcomed back.
On June 16, 1924, the Whampoa Academy was established and Chiang was named its commandant. This was the republic's first military school and attracted the cream of young men from all over the nation.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen (seated) and Chiang Kai-shek. (File photo)
Chiang gave all his time and energy to the school. He took up residence on the campus, accepting the same routine as that of the cadets. He started work at 5 a.m. Having cleaned his own room, he made rounds of inspection. Those who did not turn out on time were sharply admonished. Despite his strict discipline, he was extremely popular. He took a personal interest in the cadets' personal welfare. To those who were in financial straits, he extended assistance. He invited revolutionary leaders to deliver lectures.
In the meantime, Dr. Sun had gone to Peking where he was taken ill. He was invited by the northern forces to negotiate the unification of the nation. Before the talks could begin, he died of cancer of the liver on March 12, 1925.
The nation was plunged into chaos. Organizing Whampoa cadets into a strong army, Chiang Kai-shek eliminated the counter-revolutionary forces in south China one by one, then undertook an expedition against the northern warlords.
Formidable Foes
The first battle of Chiang's northward expedition was fought in Hunan in August of 1926. The Revolutionary Army met the troops of Wu Pei-fu, fiercest of the northern warlords. Wu was defeated and Changsha, capital of Hunan, captured. Other fierce battles ensued. Chiang's army took city after city. With the fall of Wuchang, Wu's activities in Hupeh province collapsed, and his army beat a disorderly retreat into Honan. In a little more than two months, Kuomintang control had been extended to the provinces of Hunan and Hupeh.
Chiang then turned to face the formidable armies of Sun Chuan-fang, warlord of Kiangsu, Chekiang, Fukien, Anhwei and Kiangsi. Sun .had 160,000 men, exclusive of reserves. The dauntless Revolutionary Army, greatly outnumbered, fought valiantly and routed Sun in February of 1927. Chekiang fell to Chiang.
Next on Chiang's list was Chang Tsung-chang, who took over Kiangsu and Anhwei from Sun Chuan-fang. On March 5,1927, the Revolutionary Army started and all-out assault against Chang and won a swift victory. Nanking was taken on March 24.
Amid the confusion following the street battles, Chiang encountered the viciousness of international Communists. At that time the Kuomintang was infiltrated by Communist elements. Among Revolutionary Army personnel entering Nanking was leftist Lin Tsu-han, who took orders from the Russian advisor Michael Borodin and the Communists at Hankow. Hoping to injure Chiang's already immense prestige, they tried to discredit him at Nanking.
At Lin's instigation, a number of foreigners were killed by soldiers. Systematic looting began early in the morning of March 24 and continued throughout the day. Foreigners retreated to a Standard Oil Company oil installation atop an isolated hill, where they were protected by barrages from American and British warships in the Yangtze River.
Chiang was on a gunboat heading for Nanking when he learned of this treacherous Communist attempt to discredit him. Anticipating the next move, he did not stop at Nanking, but proceeded to Shanghai, arriving there on March 26 just in time to nip another Communist plot. For the Communists had planned to touch off disorders in Shanghai with a great Sunday rally. Chiang's unexpected arrival turned the rally into a tumultuous ovation for him.
Chiang assured foreigners that swift action would be taken against the Nanking instigators. Gathering an expeditionary force of unquestionably loyal troops, he cut the railroad near Nanking, thus isolating the three divisions that were under Communist leaders. In a brief encounter, in which only 30 or 40 were killed, he disarmed the divisions. Soldiers responsible for the outrages were executed. Their leader, Lin Tsu-han, succeeded in escaping to Kiangsi.
Army Politics
The northward expedition was resumed and proceeded smoothly, although heavy losses were suffered in some battles. After the capture of strategic Hsuchow in Kiangsu by revolutionary forces, Chiang fell victim to an unforeseen reversal. Several of his generals suddenly turned against him and pressured him to resign. Chiang was not eager for the retention of power under such circumstances, and tendered his resignation as commander-in-chief. He left Nanking for his native place of Chikow on August 12, 1927.
Though his career had met with a set back, he advanced in another respect during his temporary retirement. He married Mayling Soong.
President, Mme. Chiang on his 50th birthday. (File photo)
When in Canton years before, Chiang had met Mayling Soong, who had been educated at Wellesley College in the United States, at the home of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Afterwards he saw her frequently. In Mayling he knew he had found a woman who could give him companionship and immediately decided he wanted to marry her. But when he told her of his thoughts, she, as he was to say later, "was not interested."
Chiang was in the thick of the revolution for the next five years. But he found time to correspond with Miss Soong, and determinedly pressed his suit.
When Chiang retired in 1927, the correspondence was continued. Miss Soong finally consented to marriage, subject to the approval of her family. Chiang came down from the mountains of Chekiang and arrived in Shanghai on September 23, 1928. He sailed for Japan on September 28 to visit Mrs. Soong, Mayling's mother, who was staying in Kobe, to obtain her consent. Mrs. Soong raised no objection. Chiang returned to Shanghai on December 1 and the wedding took place immediately. Ceremonies were held in the home of the bride and then in the great ballroom of the Majestic Hotel.
On the morning of their wedding day, Chiang issued a statement in which he said, among other things: "After our wedding, the work of the Revolution will, undoubtedly, make greater progress, because I can henceforth bear the tremendous responsibility of the Revolution with peace at heart .... "
Christian Influence
After his marriage, Chiang Kai-shek took another step that was greatly to influence his career. He became a Christian. The pastor who baptized him, the Rev. Kiang Chen-chun, later told the story of how China's leading statesman adopted the Christian faith.
"One day in 1928," wrote Pastor Kiang, "I received an urgent telegram from Madame Chiang Kai-shek asking me to come to Nanking immediately. I arrived there early the next morning to learn that Madame wanted me, as a good friend of the family, to talk to her husband about his personal salvation and, if possible, to arrange for him to be baptized into the Christian church .... There were so many distractions that Madame suggested we might go out for a ride as we talked. Three autos were called, the center car for us, and the first and third for his bodyguards.
"As we motored along, Madame Chiang urged her husband to accept Christ and to be formally baptized into the Christian faith, saying 'our friend, Pastor Kiang, is going to America soon and will be gone for many months.' The Generalissimo refused to be pressed into the Christian church so hurriedly, replying, I have just finished reading the New Testament for the second time, and am now going to begin to read the Old Testament. I want to learn more about this Christian faith before I publicly accept Jesus Christ as my Savior.' I finally agreed with him and suggested that he study the Bible faithfully while I was gone and that I would be glad to receive him into the church upon my return.
"While I was in America, a civil war broke out in China between a certain warlord and the Central Government. During the fighting one day, Chiang was trapped by his enemies near Kaifeng, being almost completely surrounded. (Chiang had resumed his post as commander-in-chief of the national armed forces at the request of the people.) In desperation, he prayed to God for deliverance, pledging that he would publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ as his Lord.
"God did answer his prayer by sending a very heavy snowstorm, which was unusual in this time of year, so that his enemies could not advance any nearer. In the meantime his reinforcements came from Nanking, thereby not only sparing his own life, but turning a certain defeat into a victory.
"Upon my return from America, I was asked to baptize this leader of China into the Christian faith. This was in the fall of 1928. His subsequent growth in Christian grace is well known to the world."
To Chiang, Christianity has been an inspiration which he has devoutly carried into his daily life. After entering the Christian faith, he set aside a portion of each day to be devoted to solitary prayer and devotions.
In 1934, Chiang Kai-shek was to reveal another side of his many faceted personality. With the assistance of Madame Chiang, he launched an epochal and regenerative spiritual movement among the Chinese people which later was to become known as the New Life Movement. Its fundamental objectives, as defined by the Generalissimo himself, were the revival of the ancient virtues in the Chinese cultural heritage and their application to modern living. Basic among these virtues he specified "propriety, justice, integrity and conscientiousness."
Revival of Virtues
The inauguration of the movement took place on February 19, 1934, at a public meeting at Nanchang, capital of Kiangsi province. In his speech to a mass meeting of 50,000, Chiang stressed the need for revival of the virtues taught by the Chinese sages, namely li, meaning a regulated attitude of mind as well as of the heart; i, meaning right conduct in all things; lien, meaning clear discrimination, especially in matters of honesty in personal, public and official life; and chih, meaning self-consciousness, that is, integrity and honor. These teachings of the sages, he pointed out, had been the foundation of the nation, although new conditions might require their reinterpretation.
On March 11, a giant mass meeting of 100,000 at Nanchang signalized the launching of the New Life as a national movement. A huge lantern procession followed the rally. Carried by marchers were banners setting forth the slogans of the movement: "Be prompt." "Don't crowd; keep in line." "Don't spit." "Be neat." "Cleanliness prevents sickness." "Kill flies and rats; they breed disease." "Avoid wine, women and gambling." "Politeness and obedience smooth the way."
Within a year, the movement was organized in 20 provinces and in 1,100 counties. Overseas, there were branches in Japan, Korea, Malaya and Java.
Dynamic Force
In May, 1934, Chiang started a vigorous six-year campaign to exterminate the cultivation, transportation, sale and smoking of opium. The campaign had succeeded by the end of the fifth year.
The New Life Movement revealed Chiang Kai-shek as the most dynamic force in modern China. Although the exigencies of war were to slow progress of the movement, its influence upon the Chinese people has been long and deep.
On October 31, 1936, was to come another tremendous demonstration of Chiang's phenomenal popularity. This was the celebration of his 50th birthday. The nation demonstrated its respect and affection by raising a birthday fund to buy airplanes for the Chinese army. The planes were purchased in America and shipped to China in time to take the air on Chiang's birthday.
At Nanking, 200,000 jammed the Ming Palace Airdrome to see the 100 aircraft flying in impressive formation. They dipped in salute before a huge picture of the Generalissimo, while the vast crowd bowed three times in Chinese style and shouted their applause. In Shanghai and elsewhere in the nation, the enthusiasm was just as great. It revealed the place that Chiang had won in the hearts of the Chinese people.
The Generalissimo is now 75. During the ensuing 25 years, there have been good times and bad, but he retains unchanged popularity and prestige with the Chinese people. He led the nation to victory over the Japanese and was three times elected president of the Republic of China.
Now he is ready to lead the way back to the mainland.
At three score and fifteen, President Chiang has publicly pledged that he will personally march at the head of the liberating troops.