[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 Enough political directors were assigned to every company of troops withdrawn from the front for reorganization, and to Chinese forces behind the enemy lines.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....
"Political work in the army formerly consisted in a weekly or fortnightly talk by the officers, whereas now well-planned lessons on political subjects, reading classes, discussion groups, individual conversations and twilight meetings are conducted with clockwise regularity. Singing, theatricals, cartooning, sports, are promoted among the soldiers so long as they do not jeopardize their discipline. Among the civilians, the political officers have also been active. The organization of people's service corps, self-defense units in areas close to the war areas and money contributions to the war chest from people in the rear are a few of their accomplishments." China Information Committee, News Release, October 2, 1939.
The comment of Generalissimo Chiang in the interview on p. 371 is, despite its laconicism, relevant to this topic. A further discussion is available in Chên Chêng, "Three Years of Political Training Work," The China Quarterly, Vol. 5, No. 4 (Autumn 1940), p. 581-5.
[24] The official view of this work, silent on the competition of the Communists and independents, is found in Li Chai-sum, "Chinese Government Organization behind the Enemy Lines," last citation above, p. 595-600.
[25] Statement to the author by Sun K'ê (Sun Fo), President of the Legislative Yüan, Chungking, July 17, 1940. A summary of the work of the Yüan will be found in various issues of The Chinese Year Book; in Escarra, Jean, Le Droit Chinois, cited above, containing bibliographies; and in Tyau, M. T. Z., "The Work and Organization of the Legislative Yüan," The China Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Christmas Number, 1936), p. 73-88.
[26] Wang Shih-chieh, Pi-chiao Hsien-fa, cited, p. 676 ff.
[27] The same, p. 691.
[28] See p. [313] and p. [318].