1. Major General Chase Arrived in Free China
Major General William C. Chase arrived in the capital of Free China at 11:40 A.M. on the First of May, to take up his post as head of the newly founded United States Military Assistance Advisory Group for assistance in the intensification of Taiwan's self-defense.
In a press conference held at the US Embassy four hours after his arrival in Taipeh the MAAG head did not commit himself in defining the scope of his mission, but said: "We arc concerned with the Chinese armed forces in the defense of this Island."
General Chase also told the pressmen: "The US MAAG is very happy to be here in Taiwan with the Chinese National Government. Our job is to give advice and assistance in army, navy and air force matters. We will operate under the leadership of US Minister Karl L. Rankin. The MAAG will consist of a group of US Army, Navy and Air Force officers and enlisted men. The size is not decided for the moment. I consider it an honor to command the group and advise the Chinese army, navy and air force in Free China."
Answering questions posed by the pressmen General Chase said that the types and quantities of aid materials coming in would depend on "what I find here and what is available." The size of the mission also "depends on what I find from reconnaissance, conferences with and desires of the National Government."
It is hoped that the military forces in Taiwan will be greatly strengthened as a result of the arrival of the Chase Mission and that this island will stand in the Western Pacific as a strong bulwark against Communist aggression.
2. President Chiang Pledged Support for MAAG
On May 18 President Chiang Kai-shek granted an interview to Arthur M. Goul, UP China Manager, and told him that he wanted to re iterate and re-emphasize his personal pledge to the military mission headed by Major General William C. Chase and to the American people Chase represents, that there would be no showcase displays or window dressing tactics in the presentation of Free China armed forces for inspection and investigation by the Mission. He was reported as saying; "I want the American people to know that the people of Free China and those behind the barrier of Communism appreciate the help that has come through sending General Chase and his fellow officers to us. I sincerely hope the American people can understand the depth and extent of our appreciation.
"I personally want the American people to know that they have my own personal assurance that all we here on Taiwan can give to guarantee success for General Chase will be given. In my meeting with General Chase, his follow officers and Minister Karl L. Rankin and in the presence of my Chief of Staff General Chou Chi-jou, I told General Chase that when he goes out to visit our Chinese troops, I hope he will himself choose divisions or other units as he himself wants. There will be no prearranged shows staged by my commanders. I have given instructions to the Ministry of National Defense to give the fullest explanation to General Chase of our organization and training program so that he can sec for himself true conditions of our armed forces and form his own opinions."
Then the President expressed his unalterable strong belief that "brutal forces can never crush us. One day out of the ruins caused by the enemy a new nation is to emerge, a nation which is to live as long as the earth. The enemy will come to realize that China's territory is not conquerable. She is indestructible. As long as there is one spot in China free from enemy encroachment, the National Government will reign supreme."
II. Communist Exploitation of Labor
President Chiang, in his May Day message to workers in Free China as well as those on the mainland, called on them to unite and take necessary action to hasten the collapse of Mao's regime.
"No one oppresses and exploits the workers more than the Communists do," the President charged. "They also make use of labor organizations to suppress all labor movements and deprive all workers of their rights. They have sent thousands of workers to Siberia to work as slave laborers and have also sent a large number of them to the Korean war front to die for the Soviet imperialists."
President Chiang then told workers on the mainland: "I shall come to your rescue and deliver you from Communist rule in the near future. You must now expand your underground activities and start anti-slavery, anti-exploitation and anti-atrocity actions so as to sabotage the Communists' mobilization and production machinery. You must use all methods at your disposal in struggling against the Communists at all times and places."
The President is confident that anti-Communist cause will win out. He said: "I am sure that the Russian aggressors will eventually fail and the Mao's regime will be a short-lived one." However, he warned that "a long difficult path lies before us. It requires tenacious and untiring efforts on our part to remove any obstacle on the way."
The President then lauded what workers of Free China had done during the past two years and told them that much was yet to be done.
III. Overseas Chinese Groups Visiting Free China
In the month of May three overseas Chinese groups visited Free China. Two groups came from Japan and one from the Philippines. The Philippine group was composed of 4 basketball teams and these teams had various tournaments with Free China teams at Taipeh and other cities. As the group's purpose was to comfort the fighting forces in Free China, the whole proceeds from such tournaments have been contributed to that purpose. In Taipeh and in other cities thousands of sport fans usually lined up for hours in a long cue in order to get tickets [or seeing those tournaments. At the conclusion of each tournament, basket balls were auctioned and sold to the highest bidder.
The first overseas Chinese group from Japan, which was mainly composed of students, made a tour of Taiwan in the early part of May. Next came the second group, members of which were Chinese merchants and industrialists in Japan. Both of these groups wanted to pledge allegiance to President Chiang and to see with their own eyes the improvements made in Taiwan during recent years.
It may be recalled that other overseas Chinese groups from the Philippines, Sumatra, Thailand and other countries have visited this land of freedom in the past few months. They have all unmistakably demonstrated their love of the Fatherland and are fully convinced that to defeat Communism, unity of purpose and action among Chinese everywhere is most essential.