Chapter 850 849 [Add Conditions to Chiang Kai-Shek]
Hu Shi's voice came over the radio. This was the speech he was invited to give on Columbia Radio:
"Although I fully sympathize with and understand your people's desire to stay out of the war. However, passive appeasement without the backing of a peace policy is definitely not enough to guarantee the peace you want. What China expects from the United States , is an active leader for international peace and justice, a leader who prevents war, curbs aggression, and cooperates with democratic countries in the world..."
"China's War of Resistance is a just war, just like the American War of Independence, France's Revolutionary War, and Turkey's War of Liberation! During the American War of Independence, why was Washington able to escape from Fudge Valley and embark on the road to victory in York City? In addition to the determination to fight hard to the end, there was also the support for the United States from the international situation at that time, especially France's strong support for the United States. China has proven its determination to persist in the war of resistance, and we are also confident that we will win, but we are also inseparable. We need the support of international forces, especially the support of the United States."
"We do not expect the United States to send troops to directly help China, but we must prevent the United States from continuously importing strategic material resources into Japan. Because Japan is already a public enemy of more than 50 countries in the world, including the United States."
"Japan is an autocratic country, and China, like the United States, is a democratic country. Japan's war of aggression against China is a war between an autocratic country and a democratic country. Although Japan is economically successful, they are using Western science and technology At the same time, they maintain their most stubborn ignorant and backward culture. China has achieved a democratic republic, while Japan is still a feudal emperor country..."
In his radio speech, Hu Shi talked a lot about China's democratic politics, and even boasted about Chinese culture, while degrading Japan's political culture into nothing. This is exactly the opposite of what he wrote in China, but it is understandable that in his own country he can be scolded when he should be scolded, but he should still be praised when he goes abroad, and family scandals should not be made public.
Since coming to the United States during the Anti-Japanese War in Songhu last year, Hu Shi has given countless speeches. His English speeches were of a very high standard and he often quoted scriptures. Not only was he recognized by many Americans, he even attracted the attention and hatred of the Japanese government.
Hu Shih's speeches in the United States lasted for several years, and he was probably supported by Roosevelt. Because Roosevelt wanted the United States to join the war, but the neutral atmosphere in Congress was too serious. Someone had to guide public opinion among the people, and Hu Shi was the most suitable candidate.
Especially in September 1941, the United States and Japan secretly discussed the situation in China and the Southwest Pacific. For its own interests, the United States chose to compromise with Japan and sold China without hesitation.
After Hu Shi learned the news, he immediately insisted on meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hull as China's ambassador to the United States. Hull reluctantly presented a provisional draft of the United States' compromise with Japan. Hu Shi was extremely angry after seeing it and immediately asked to see Roosevelt to prevent the draft from taking effect.
Then, Hu Shi asked the British ambassador to contact Churchill. Churchill immediately called Roosevelt to express that Britain was firmly on China's side.
After two months of back-and-forth arguing, the U.S. compromise draft with Japan was finally scrapped—Japan’s response was: a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor!
Therefore, the famous American historian Charlie Beale regarded Hu Shi as the culprit of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. He wrote in "President Roosevelt and the Prelude to the Great War": "The war between the United States and Japan could have been avoided. However, in order to protect the interests of capitalists in Asia, President Roosevelt unfortunately fell into the trap of the Chinese ambassador Hu Shi, which caused the Japanese army to move forward. to attack Pearl Harbor and ultimately drag the United States into a terrible world war."
Hu Shi has not officially served as ambassador to the United States at this moment. His status, like Zhou Hexuan, is China's special envoy to the United States. This guy gives a public speech every month or two on average, and speaks on radio stations from time to time. He has become a well-known Far Eastern speaker in the United States.
The content of Hu Shi's speech can be summarized into four points, namely: Chinese people love peace, and China is fighting an arduous war; the Japanese are cruel and evil, and Japan is the public enemy of the world; the United States helping China is in the interest of the American people; the United States helping Japan is undoubtedly breeding tigers for trouble. .
US President Roosevelt and American capitalists whose interests were harmed by the Sino-Japanese War also continued to promote this matter behind the scenes. The reason why American radio stations continue to invite Hu Shi to give speeches is that most of the time they are secretly contacted by capitalists.
After giving a speech at the broadcasting company, Hu Shi took a train to Washington and soon met Chen Guangfu and his party. He couldn't wait to ask: "The telegram said that you just met with President Roosevelt. How was the loan negotiation?"
"It didn't go very well," Chen Guangfu shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Mr. President thinks it involves too much, so he still needs to hold a meeting to discuss it."
Hu Shi noticed that Zhou Hexuan was not present and asked, "Where is Mingcheng?"
"He disappeared when he got off the ship in San Francisco. He was looking for an American business consultant," Chen Guangfu said confusedly. "By the way, he also said he wanted to contact Reader's Digest and an American magazine called Classmates. What else could he say? We have contacted the German Rabe, who is on his way to the United States, and Rabe has evidence of the Nanjing Massacre."
Hu Shi said: "I know about the Nanjing Massacre. Reader's Digest exposed it. It seems that the Japanese invaders massacred tens of thousands of civilians in Nanjing."
"Is there such a thing?" Xi Demao exclaimed.
Ren Sida also gritted his teeth and said: "The Japanese invaders are cruel and cruel, there is nothing they can't do!"
At this moment, the telecommunications staff of the embassy came and said: "Deputy Ambassador Chen, there is an urgent call from the base camp. The chairman of the committee is asking about the progress of the negotiations."
Chen Guangfu said depressedly: "What are you urging me for? I just came to the United States, and my butt is not even hot, so there is no progress!"
The telecommunications staff said: "The Chairman said that Special Envoy Zhou sent a message back to China in San Francisco, claiming that he was absolutely sure that the United States could borrow money to aid China. So the Chairman asked Deputy Ambassador Chen, why didn't he report the progress to the base camp quickly?"
"What the hell is Zhou Mingcheng doing? He actually bypassed us and sent a private telegram! Call the Chairman back, the negotiations haven't started yet, and Roosevelt still has doubts about the loan." Chen Guangfu was quite angry.
Wuhan, base camp.
Chang Kaishen received Chen Guangfu's call back and cursed angrily: "Mother Xipi, this Zhou Mingcheng is dishonest!"
Kong Xiangxi, who was summoned urgently, asked: "What happened?"
"Read it yourself." Chang Kaishen threw a telegram over.
That telegram was sent back from San Francisco by Zhou Hexuan, and it contained two main contents:
First, Zhou Hexuan said that he had received news from the Zhi Gong Party that donations from overseas Chinese had been massively embezzled by certain officials, and asked Chang Kaishen to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Second, Zhou Hexuan said that he was fully confident of facilitating the U.S. loan, but Chang Kaishen had to make a commitment that the loan funds must be supervised by U.S. personnel throughout the entire process. Once corruption and misappropriation is discovered, the allocation of subsequent funds will be immediately terminated.
After Kong Xiangxi read this telegram, he was so angry that his teeth itched.
The phrase "certain officials committed massive corruption" is a clear allusion to Kong. Because overseas donations and arms trade are all handled by Kong Xiangxi, other than him, no one else can do corruption.
Kong Xiangxi sneered in a sinister way: "I'm afraid he's bragging. Guangfu and others said that the negotiations haven't even started yet, but Zhou Hexuan actually has a perfect plan, haha."
Chang Kaishen glanced at Kong Xiangxi with some dissatisfaction, closed his eyes and said: "Don't worry about this, go to Chongqing as soon as possible to preside over the work of the Executive Yuan."
"Uh..." Kong Xiangxi's scalp tightened, he hesitated to speak, and finally chose to resign.
Just half a month ago, Chen Qiyou, the head of the Zhigongtang Stewardship Committee and Chiang Kai-shek's personal representative, had arrived in Wuhan by train.
Chen Qiyou accused Kong Xiangxi of embezzling donations in front of Chang Kaishen, and Chang Kaishen promised to investigate thoroughly. Chen Qiyou waited for several days without any news, and immediately exposed Kong Xiangxi's corruption in the newspaper, which made both Chiang Kai-shek and Kong Xiangxi passive.
In a rage, Chang Kaishen secretly arrested Chen Qiyou and threw him into a "military prison" for political prisoners.
Although he dealt with the ignorant Chen Qiyou, Chang Kaishen was also extremely dissatisfied with Kong Xiangxi, but he did not deal with the Kong Xiangxi corruption case because of the overall situation and personal affairs. This time, when Kong Xiangxi was called to read Zhou Hexuan's telegram, it was also Chiang Kai-shek who was trying to hammer Kong into temporarily restraining himself.
This time we are seeking to borrow money from the United States to assist China. Money is just a small matter. What is more important is the United States' attitude towards China. Once the loan negotiation is successful, it means that the United States' foreign policy will begin to tilt toward China.
Just like the cotton and wheat loan contract negotiated by Song Ziwen, the purchase of wheat and cotton stocks in the United States was higher than the international price, and the transportation had to be handled by American companies. It was a 100% loss-making transaction, which made Chinese capitalists complain. However, Song Ziwen still signed the cotton and wheat loan contract, while Japan obstructed this in every possible way, as if China was afraid that China would suffer losses from the Americans.
It's not that Song Ziwen is too stupid, or that the Japanese think about China. Everything stems from international diplomatic strategies.
Chang Kaishen did not call his staff to discuss, but said directly to the adjutant: "Call Zhou Hexuan, as long as he can negotiate a US aid loan to China, everything will be done according to his wishes! Ask him when we can start negotiations."
The adjutant immediately ran to the telecommunications room and finally received a call back from Zhou Hexuan the next morning.
The adjutant reported with a telegram: "Mr. Zhou said that negotiations can start at any time, but if he wants to facilitate a loan, it will take at least three months to prepare. He is contacting the American media and is also working with American capitalists to learn from public opinion and Capital power should start from two aspects.”
Hearing this reply, Chang Kaishen felt very satisfied.
A year and a half is not too long for this kind of negotiation related to the international diplomatic situation, and three months is already a short time to prepare. If Zhou Hexuan said that it could be done immediately, Chang Kaishen would doubt the authenticity. He nodded and said with a smile: "Zhou Mingcheng has a strategy, and this can be done." The telegram ordered Zhou Hexuan not to be anxious, but to make preparations for negotiations and strive to win nine out of ten. !”
"Yes!" The adjutant quickly ran to the telecommunications room again.
Chang Kaishen had mixed feelings when he thought of Zhou Hexuan, who was confident, and Kong Xiangxi, who couldn't come up with any plan.
You have to throw it away when comparing goods, because people are more likely to die than others!
Although Kong Xiangxi negotiated a series of loans last year, they were all in exchange for benefits.
For example, the U.S. loan involves selling China's silver stored as reserves in the U.S. to the U.S. at a low price, using the money from selling the silver to purchase U.S. gold, and depositing the gold into the Federal Reserve as a loan guarantee.
To put it simply, it means selling China’s legal currency reserve silver and replacing it with gold to use as collateral for loans to obtain U.S. dollars. China has suffered a lot from both sides. The only good thing is that the gold worth 28 million US dollars was loaned to a total of 50 million US dollars in foreign exchange, which solved the urgent need for military expenditures in the early days of the Anti-Japanese War.