The China of Chiang K'ai-Shek: A Political StudyLinebarger, Paul Myron Anthony
History
The China of Chiang K'ai-Shek: A Political Study
Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony
Chiang, Kai-shek, 1887-1975; China -- Politics and government -- 1912-1949
Subordinate to the
Executive _Yüan_, it is also subordinate to the Commission, so that in
effect it is a Ministry twice over, and is even shown as two ministries
on occasion.[22] General Ho Ying-chin, as Minister of War, is
subordinate to the Generalissimo as _Wei-yüan-chang_ (Chairman) of the
Commission.
[Footnote 21: Descriptions of the subordinate organs of all these
agencies but the Pensions Commission and the War-Area Commission will
be found in Ho Yao-tsu, cited immediately above. The translations of
the titles here given, however, are those of the author.]
[Footnote 22: As an instance, see _Outline of the Organization of the
Kuomintang_ ..., cited above, p. 54, n.^{13}.]
The two remaining agencies of the Commission are of considerable
interest. A system of having political commissars in the army, a Soviet
device, was adopted by the Kuomintang forces when first organized under
Chiang K'ai-shek, and political training accounted for much
of that success of the Northward drive (1926-27). After the
Nationalist-Communist split, political training as such fell into
considerable disuse, and was replaced by ethical training provided by
the Officers' Moral Endeavor Corps.[23] With the renewed entente, and
war of national union for defense, a Political Department
(_Chêng-chih-pu_) was established. A graceful tribute to Communist skill
in combining war and agitation was paid when Chou En-lai, the celebrated
Red general, was designated Vice-Minister of this Department. One of the
Generalissimo's most orthodox and able subordinates was made Minister.
The Political Department extends its function in an enormous sweep
across China, and renders aid in military education within the armies,
in civilian organization, and in war propaganda. Active and omnipresent,
it is an excellent instance of functioning national unity.
[Footnote 23: This is a semi-official agency sponsored by the
Generalissimo. See below, p. 149. The new war-time change is well
illustrated by the following statement: "Special commissioners were
assigned to every group army, and political departments in the
divisions were augmented. Enough political directors were assigned to
every company of troops withdrawn from the front for reorganization,
and to Chinese forces behind the enemy lines. In addition, political
corps were formed to organize and train civilians. Because of the lack
of personnel, so far there have been no political officers in units
engaged in military operations.
"Conscious and hard-working, the political officers have done much to
remove irritations which used to occur between the commanding officers
and the political men....
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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