Click to visit ValueCalling.com
[The Chinese version of Iris Chang's book is avaialble in Chinatown
bookstores in US cities. -ed.]
From: *********@*******.com (Meng, Yuan)
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to say "thank you" for putting up the web page. It
definitely raised the attention the holocaust among many people,
including myself.
I bought the book, read it, and donated to our local county library in
May. Last time I checked, there were two copies of the book in the
library, they were both checked out. I am glad to see people are
reading the books.
I hope history can be straightened out some day.
Thanks for your excellent work again.
From: *******@*****.edu (Robert Gray)
Many people on CND's Rape of Nanking comment board have called for
Iris Chang's excellent book on the Nanjing Massacre to be translated
into Japanese, so the people of Japan may be exposed to this history.
Although translating Ms. Chang's book is an excellent suggestion in
itself, I would like to point out that there are already many
excellent books available in Japan on the topic of the Rape of
Nanking. In fact, some of the best scholarly research on the Rape of
Nanking has been done in Japan by dedicated Japanese scholars.
Thus, the problem is not a lack of Japanese language books on the Rape
of Nanking, but a lack of general interest in Japanese society overall
in the topic of Japanese war crimes.
I thought that this was an important point to make clear.
Having said that, I absolutely agree that Ms. Chang's book ought to be
translated into Japanese. Written by an overseas Chinese, this book
provides a perspective on the topic not offered in Japanese books on
the Massacre.
[I have recently returned from China where I was conducting my own
research on the Rape of Nanking. I have translated two recent Chinese
books on the Rape of Nanking into English and will publish these
documents in book form in the near future.]
Sincerley,
Robert Gray,
Dept. of History -- University of Michigan
From: *******@***.com
I am writing to thank you for bringing this horror to light , however
dreadful it may be. Thanks to you and many other people , these evil
men , the Japanese , can be brought to justice and given what they
deserve. Thank you for showing what the Japanese government has denied
for over 50 years.
From: **********@***.**.*******.com (Zong Liang WU)
Some right-wing people repeatedly deny japanese atrocities during the
WW II. Japanese emperor and governement have never officially and
sincerely given apology from chinese people. Rather japanese media
has succedded in protraying Japan as a victim instead of invaders.
It's time for us chinese and all peace-loving people around the world
to stand up and say to those japanese: enough is enough !
We oversea chinese / chinese descendents are best placed to organize
ourselves and to let the whole world know the trueth, mainland chinese
having not this possibility. This is also to respect ourselves and to
let other people respect us. Why cannot we learn something from
oversea jewish people ? Are we really too busy or too poor to defend
our dignity ?
We need to take some real actions that can attract world-wide attention.
From: "Jennifer Cheng"
Subject: A Voice for China
I wished to present a sort of chronological sequence of events beginning
with World War II and Japan's invasion of China including the Rape of
Nanking, through the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath, and the
Tianneman Square massacre and the current situation. I composed the
piece in epic verse to emphasize the importance of this largely
overlooked plight of a people. As a high school student in America, I
have been encouraged to use my freedom of speech and allowed to grow up
in a democratic society with human rights. I want the people in China to
have a voice as well.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Cheng
[The following is the 16-year-old reader's prize-winning poem. -ed.]
---------------------------------------
"Voice of Billions' - The Unsung Song" by Jennifer Cheng
O Voice of Billions, I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place of Hell.
Where yellow stars are set against red sky,
The gray, rock-solid fortress does there lie,
And casts its shadow grim upon red land--
A place of murky rice fields, blowing sand,
That from the break of time hath seen much blood--
While legacy and people drown in mud.
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place of Hell.
Alas, a noble land, ravaged and raped
By Rising Sun while all, who could, escaped.
Nanking, that tragic beauty was not spared
Her children slaughtered--all her sisters scared.
Awakes the sleeping giant, for he will fight
As warring parties, factions--all unite
Against that savage fire whose black path sears,
Burning livid scar through heart of fears--
The Yangtze and the Yellow flowing red,
Across the bruised landscape choked with dead--
Until the claps of thunder and black rain
Extinguish raging fire though not the pain.
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
Hear the sound! That moaning is not a gale--
But howls, cries, screams of those who, left behind, do wail.
Feel the wet! That moisture is not the rain--
But salty drops, the burning tears of pain,
Which fall from eyes that roll towards blackened sky
While crazed, blindly grope to say good-bye--
Their lives, a Mother's weeping cannot save.
And so the sudden undertakers slave
To bury those whose voices had been stilled
_From screaming while the rest of them were killed
Amidst a blackened landscape where rich blood
Is soaked by tears of billions into mud.
O Voice of Billions I bid thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
_From loamy mud, well watered down with tears
Well fertilized with blood throughout the years,
A glorious god came forth in time of need--
God M----, both great in thought and deed.
When this king reigned, there was enough to cull;
Always, people could count on bellies full
Not with rice, beans, cabbages, or meat.
(These were not foods, with nothing left to eat.)
But Fruits of labor, eaten before ripe--
So plentiful were victuals of this type.
O Voice of Billions I bid thee tell--
Of time and place in which we live so well.
Time no longer was for work, school, or play.
For steel production quotas--gone the day.
O Voice of Billions I bid thee tell--
Of time and place in which we live so well.
So blessed under such a ruler wise,
The subjects saw their lord without false guise--
A man who had a vision, had a dream,
Had courage and the will to rightly seem--
Most capable at any given mood.
And so a period of peace ensued--
A time when every argument stayed young
For people were content to hold the tongue.
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place of Hell.
This everlasting time of binding chain--
That though Thought, Speech, and Mind alike do strain,
And wage a war, a struggle to not die,
To no avail prevail--their living, but a lie.
As ants, the people lead entire lives,
Not questioning, ignoring sharpened knives
Which hang by threads above them if they cry--
So stifle Mind and Voice until they die.
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
"I hear there is a rally in the square"
"Well be assured--we will expect you there"
"Long live the Chairman, long live our M--"
"We seek those, whom his law does not allow."
"Long live the Chairman, long live our M--"
"For Him, we live, we fight, we die--our vow"
Like ghosts the children wander in the mist
Obeying Great Red Book which they would kiss.
For all obey and worship Great Red Sun,
Great Father with all answers--every one.
While everyone is sleepwalking in Time,
Remaining mute, perfecting art of mime,
Rhythms of ghostly drums pulse silently
Within the hearts that pound, though quietly.
But heartbeats fade amidst the hazy fog
Of all M--s dreams which puff into dark smog.
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
Some hearts revive and thaw though numb with frost--
Pump twice as fast to make up for time lost.
Once minds of deserts barren bore no fruits;
Now seeds are planted--slowly put forth roots.
Some mouths, which once were bound by bonds of fear,
Now loosen--blow new seed into new ear.
And some forbidden fruit is bound to bloom,
In lonely library and cold classroom,
As tempted fingers rush to pluck black gold,
In lonely cells sit those who too much told.
It's 1984, so all who wail--
Too much against the group languish in jail.
"My father, he has left me, he is gone...
He never did exist...don't get me wrong."
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
The man is crouched inside a deep, dark room
As summons he the will to meet his doom.
And all around, the demons rage and tear--
At his mind, his heart, his soul--until to bear
This everlasting torture is--to die.
'Til then, he will not answer to the lie
They press him to accept and to confess.
Never-ending questions inflame his mind.
To struggle for clear vision, or be blind?
To think free thoughts by self, or think with all?
To stand tall as a man, or crouch down small?
To speak the truth, or tell the welcome lie?
To hollowly live life, or deeply die?
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
"Now listen to the talk of the Foolish Ones
Whose speeches show they're shooting off their guns."
"Don't listen to their plans, their stupid Cause--"
"These half-grown boys and girls dislike our laws"
"Colleges they're enrolled in do not aid;"
"They spread their thoughtless thinking and they made--
'Their own doom, fools, and still they shall not learn..."
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
Most recall and relive that fateful day--
When youthful comrades vowed to have their say--
Expressed the need for change, the need for rights,
And all those thoughts they were discussing nights.
Linking arm to arm, they march then to the square--
Rallying together, even more join them there.
"China, we beg you listen!, China, we beg you hear!"
"China, we beg you listen!, China, we beg you care!"
Dreadful Night closes in, candles lit they hold.
Hunger strikes, demonstrations, speeches make them bold.
"We need freedom!, Rights are ours! Change is needed!"
"Rise, Rise!, Let our words not stay unheeded!"
"China, we beg you listen!, China, we beg you hear!"
"China, we beg you listen!, China, we beg you care!"
Too loud has grown the voice and imploration.
Armed troops march, tanks roll, in-timidation.
Without delay or qualms they pierce the wall--
The barricade of human flesh stands tall--
Though stabbed repeatedly by bullet-fire
And butchered by the tanks' unending tire.
O Voice of Billions, I beg thee tell--
Of living in a time and place like Hell.
Fallen heroes choke with blood, final words they sigh--
Betrayed, still serving motherland, they die--
"O Dragon, rise, shake off your chains like dew--"
"And Phoenix, rise from ashes and renew--"
"O anything for a draught from Lethe--"
"Give me liberty or give me death--"
O Voice of Billions, I beg thee tell--
Of living in a time and place like Hell.
Hear the sound! That moaning is not a gale--
But howls, cries, screams of those who, left behind, do wail.
Feel the wet! That moisture is not the rain--
But salty drops-the burning tears of pain,
Which fall from eyes that roll towards blackened sky,
While crazed, blindly grope to say good-bye--
Their lives, a Mother's weeping cannot save.
And so the sudden undertakers slave
To bury those whose voices had been stilled
From screaming while the rest of them were killed--
Amidst a blackened landscape where rich blood
Is soaked by tears of billions into mud.
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
Will not the mirror, the Lady looks into,
Reveal the real image of herself as true?
The looking-glass itself does not deceive;
The face the woman sees and will receive
Is covered with a coat of paint that hides
The scars, the moles, the pock-marks of disease--
Which she with sisters--all choose not to see.
The leprosy that eats away her face--
Beautiful compared to another place.
Her soul--the darkest, inner secret keeps--
An unnamed curse, for sealed remain her lips--
That sealed remains her mind which stopped thinking
And sealed remains her heart which ceased beating.
O Voice of Billions I beg thee tell--
Of suffering in a time and place like Hell.
"How blessed we are," some college students say
When sent to learn abroad and far away.
They went, they saw, their hearts inspired--
Freed from the mud in which they had been mired.
Each holds a half-burned candle to the light--
Glow of singed wick restores their sight.
To homeland they return with heads held high
And hold their torches out to darkened sky.
Linking arm to arm, they march then to the square--
Rallying together, even more join them there.
Blindfolds thrown aside, their march is slow,
While each attempts to shield his candle's glow
_From howling winds which whirl the tiny flame
In Darkness' cave to be devoured by Shame.
Yet on the people march with heads held high
And hold their torches out to darkened sky.
With cupped palm around forbidden flare--
Lightning bugs and fireflies light the air.
From: ********@****.net (P. Chen)
It seems that Chiang Jieshi's problem wasn't just the Japanese. His
own corrupt forces contributed to defeat after defeat. My father and
grandfather's generation of GuomingDang officers concentrated on
saving face more than strategic or political actions which would have
staved off the Japanese from their onslaught into the hinterland.
The 19th Route Army held off the Japanese a few years earlier in
Shanghai, only to have it's commanders arrested by the Nanjing
government.
It makes me very sad and angry at what happened. Contemporary
Japanese portrayals of Tojo, etc. are ONLY a reflection of indirect
Japanese prejudice and lack of sensitivity to other Asians. This is
only part of a grand scheme by many right-wing revisionists in Japan
and Germany to lessen the fault of the Axis nations to the murder and
suffering of millions of people during the 1930s to 1940s.
From: Jim Shan <****@*****.*******.ca>
All the facts since the World War II have proved that Japanese is a
violence-worshipping nationality worshipping. Americans bombed them with 2
nuclear bombs, so Japanese haven't dared to take even a deep breath in
front of Americans since then. They even never think of why they were
bombed. On the other hand, Chinese abandoned the right to ask for
compensation, so Japanese think China deserved the loss.
Actually, the 2 atomic bombs saved Japan in some way. Without the bombs,
the arrogant Japanese may have thought they could win the war until the
whole country was destroyed.
Therefore, I suggest the 2 Chinese authorities -- Mainland and Taiwan not
to trust Japanese too much. Japanese government can't change to human from
animal until it admits what they did in the second world war.
From: ******.****@**********.com
Subject: Japanese Government Officials continues their denial of War Crimes.
Date: 7/31/98
Source: Kyodo News
Newly appointed Japanese Farm Minister Shoichi Nakagawa retracted
Friday his earlier remarks that it is not proven the wartime sex
slaves for the Imperial Japanese Army were forcibly recruited for
military brothels before and during World War II. Nakagawa made the
remarks at a news conference held Friday morning, but he retracted it
at a news conference before noon the same day.
From: *******@***.******.com (Tze Chao)
Subject: Toei Film On Tojo
Dear Editor:
I am writing to express my disappointment and disgust on the
Toei-produced film named "Pride, a Brief Moment of Fate".
I am a Chinese American living in the United States for the past 38
some years. Whilte in America, I thoroughly appreciated the splendid
progress Japan had made over the post-war decades. It is a nation
bounced back from the atomic ash of World War II. Truly a remarkable
feat.
The post-war Japan, as I always had believed, was a country of
humanity, high self-esteem, diligence and democracy a far different
state from the pre-war Japan of Bushido militarism and right-wing
extremism.
Nevertheless, the recent Toei Film-produced popular movie on "Hideki
Tojo" attests, disappointedly, to the fact that the right-wing Bushido
extremism is on the rise again in Japan. That reminds me of the rise
of the so-called "Cherry Society" before the Sino-Japanese War. The
thoughts promoted by Cherry Society eventually led to the invasion of
Manchuria, China by its armed branch called Kwangtung Army, in which
Tojo once served as its Chief of Staff.
The right-wing fanatics claimed that Nanjing Massacre never happened
and that the atrocity was committed by the Chinese troops themselves!
It is high time now that Japan squarely faces its past mistake. It is
high time Japan emerges from behind the shield of denial of guilt,
apologizes to the world, especially to the off-springs of the Chinese
victims slaughtered in Harbin and Nanjing!
A nation of self-respect and high integrity, like the German, can and
will courageously admits her past guilt, pay reparation, and tells as
it is to younger generations of the heinous crime committed in the
name of the Emperor during the Sino-Japanese War and WW-II. Only
after these actions that history will, hopefully, NOT repeat itself
again and lives will NOT be annihilated again either by bayonets, guns
or nuclear bombs!!
A group of us in Delaware have planned to form a private organization
to deal with these issues. We call ourselves the members of the "Plum
Blossom Society". We welcome those who feel the same way about the
Japanese WW-II crime and want to do something actively about it.
From: CND
The following news item was published in CND-Global, No. GL98-092:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iris Chang Denounces "Second Rape of Nanking," Dares Revisionists to a
Public Debate ...................................................... 80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported by: Zhanglin LIN
Source: AFP, 06/22/98
Iris Chang, the author of "The Rape of Nanking, the Forgotten Holocaust
of World War II," called on those who denied Japanese wartime atrocities
to defend their positions in a nationally or internationally televised
forum, AFP reported. Chang also offered to make available to them the
voluminous documents, including eyewitness accounts, that she has
accumulated.
"These revisionists are engaged in a second rape of Nanking -- the rape of
history," denounced Iris Chang. "They (the revisionists) are determined to
cleanse Japan's past."
Chang said the revisionist efforts would present an irreversibly distorted
version of that period of history to Japan's young generation.
The extremely brutal massacre of Nanking was only one chapter of the
Japanese barbarities against the Chinese civilians when Japan invaded
China during WW II, in which an estimated 19 million to 35 million Chinese
were killed, said Chang.
Earlier this month, a group of conservative Japanese scholars dismissed
outright Chang's accounts of the Japanese heinous crimes against humanity
when they swept into the city of Nanking in 1937. They even suggested that
China itself committed brutal acts on a large scale against it own
citizens before Japanese soldiers set foot in the city.
The scholars further asserted that they found no evidence that up to
300,000 people were murdered in the 1937 event.
Japan's ambassador in Washington called Chang's book "one-sided,"
"erroneous," and full of inaccuracies, yet he failed to produce any
specifics that would support his allegation.
Other right-wing activists and academics have also been making some
stunning claims. Akira Nakamura, a professor at Dokkyo University, went so
far as to argue that Japanese had been "massacred unilaterally" by China
before Japan occupied Nanking, and suggested mutual apologies.
Historians and other experts in war crimes found these arguments
appalling, especially those pertaining to the body count.
"This business of the body count is really a gruesome exercise in
historical revisionism. If 100,000, 300,000, or 500,000 were killed, is
it morally any different?" asked Dr. William Kirby, the chairman of
the History Department at Harvard, who also wrote the preface for Chang's
book.
"There really isn't any question that it was a policy of terror and
murder. Anyone who suggests that the Rape of Nanking never happened is in
historical Never-Neverland." Kirby added.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper at a Nazi criminals tracking center compared the
Japanese revisionists to those who dispute the Nazi Holocaust. "Japan
cannot be trusted as a member of the community of nations until it once
and for all sincerely and genuinely apologizes for its deeds during World
War II -- beginning with Nanking," Cooper said.
Revision of Japan's wartime history is gaining ground in Japan. A recent
Japanese movie "Pride, an Instant in a Lifetime," which casts war criminal
General Hideki Tojo in a heroic role, is popular in the country.
"That is really disgusting. He wasn't a hero. He was a tyrant," said
David Magee, "It was horrible, horrible. They're trying to rewrite
history."
Magee is the son of the missionary who filmed and recorded the Nanking
massacre. The junior Magee eventually shared the materials with Chang.
Starting as a modest success, Chang's book became a New York Times
bestseller and stayed on the list for five months. It has also been
selling well in both Canada and Taiwan. Plans are underway to publish the
book in Japan and translate it into five other languages: Italian, Czech,
German, Korean, Spanish and Chinese.
From: ********@**********.com (Lian Yao)
Dear Editor:
I noticed a reader ( Sam Ford ) from South Africa may have some
difficulties to get a copy of the book The Rape of Nanjing. I will be
happy to mail him one if he still wants one and you can help me to get
in touch with him. Thanks for your efforts for putting this excellent
reader's forum.
Regards,
Lian Yao
[We thank Reader Lian Yao for the kind offer. We already have another
reader, KJ Song, offering to help a few weeks ago. -ed.]
From: *****@***.com (Gregg and Nancy)
Dear Editor,
I thought you might be interested in this story, it was in our paper
just this morning. The headline is "Japan theater shortens run of
Nanking 1937". Toyko (AP) Fearing attacks by right-wing extremists, a
movie theater in western Japan said Thursday it would cut short the
showing of a controversial firm about Japanese atrocities in China in
the 1930's. The Cinesalon Paveria in Furkuoka, 560 miles southwest of
Toyko, had planned to show the film "Nanking 1937" until July 10 th.,
but will end the run on July 3 rd. instead. The movie, produced by
Hong Kong and Chinese film-makers takes place during the "Rape of
Nanking" the Japanese Imperial Army's 1937 rampage throught the city
now known as Nanjing. Up to 300,000 people, including many civilians
were killed. Rightists claim the massacre has been exaggerated to
discredit Japan. (That is the entire story as printed in todays
"Morning Call Newspaper of Allentown, Pa. 18102)
Sincerely yours,
Gregg S. Heilman
PS. Do you know if this video is available in the USA?
[We regretably do not have any information on the availability. -ed.]
From: CND
The following news brief item was published in CND-Global, No. GL98-082:
[CND, 06/05/98] The 1937 Nanjing Massacre was denied and the Japanese
troops were praised for restoring peace in the city by Dokkyo University
professor Akira NAKAMURA, reported AFP from Tokyo.
Nakamura, one of a group of Japanese scholars defending Japanese actions
in World War II, is to deliver a keynote speech at a news conference on
June 12, which is intended to discredit "The Rape of Nanjing," a
best-selling book by Iris CHANG.
Nakamura stated that this book "contains so many false descriptions and
counterfeit pictures" and that "all the Japanese survivors who witnessed
the incident denied there was a massacre". He claimed that CHIANG Kai-shek
deserted the city and Chinese troops "set houses and buildings on fire,
committed such atrocities as looting, raping and killing." After the
Japanese troops arrived, "peace was restored" and "the civilian population
of the city increased to 250,000 only in a few weeks (from 200,000),
because the Japanese troops were reputed for their orderly, proper
manners."
Nakamura maintained that he supported "an apology if there was anything to
apologize for," but, "apology should be reciprocal ... the Japanese killed
some Chinese in Nanjing, but it was the first time. The Japanese had been
massacred unilaterally by Chinese until then." (Yan WANG, YIN De An)
From: tze.chao@usa.dupont.com (Tze Chao)
Dear Editor:
I travelled to China from May 17 till June 5. I visited the two
places pivotal to Japanese atrocity during World War II. One was the
Japanese Imperial Army Unit 731 in Harbin, Heilongjiang and the other
the Nanking Massacre Memorial Museum. It was a gruesome experience
indeed and upset me to the core. Mr. Zhu Zhen San, the Museum's
Director and his Vice Director Mr. Wang, showed me around. Afterward
Mr. Zhu asked me to help find Western press articles of the period
Dec/37 and Jan/38 at Yale Divinity School Library. My younger
daughter is attending Yale. So I promised him to try. The collection
at the Memorial Museum is already quite impressive.
I come from a family of Imperial descent (Chao of Song Dynasty) and of
martial tradition (my father fought the Japanese all his career in
China and in Burma in WW II). I can't just sit around and reading the
ever-increasing volume of evidence on the atrocity committed by the
Japanese Imperial soldiers in China. After some deep meditation, I
have decided that somthing in addition to the important task of
evidence gathering, which Ms. Iris Chang has already contributed
splendidly, must be done.
A MOVEMENT TO BRING THE JAPANESE RIGHT WING, "SAMURAI" EXTREMISTS AND
THE JAPANESE GOVENMENT TO SUBMISSION IS-IN-ORDER.
While I was in China, I realized that such a movement will have to be
championed by Chinese Americans like myself. That is the most
effective way to do it.
Time is quick running out because the number of survivors is dwindling
probably less than a thousand now and most of them are in their '70s,
'80s and a few in the '90s.
A movement also must have teeth. The teeth is a concerted campaign
to boycott Japanese products, especially cars, until they
(1) Issued formal apology by the current Emperor on behalf of his
father Hirohito and the Japanese war time govenment
(2) Pay adequate reparation to the victims and their offsprings for
the destruction of lifes and properties
(3) Correct their textbooks to accurately describe the grisly facts
and the animalistic behavior of the Imperial soldiers in WW II a
colossal crime against humanity
(4) Remove all names of conviced war criminals, such as Tojo,
Yamamoto, Yamashita, etc. from their National Shinto Shrine.
Of course, I realize this is a "TALL" order. But it is the MINIMUM
they can and should do after 60 years of silence and apathy by the
Chinese people.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CHINESE RACE ? Are we lesser of a people than
the Jews? To this day, our Jewish friends are still earnestly
pursuing and bringing to justice even the minorest Nazi war criminals.
They are still receiving indemnification and retrieving their parents'
gold after more than $60 billions have been paid!! We can and should
do the same, and plus some more!!
I HEREBY SOLEMNLY INVITE YOU ALL JOIN THIS MOVEMENT WHICH I JUST START
ORGANIZING RIGHT NOW. I haven't created a website yet. I will soon.
For the time being please sign up as soon as you can !!!! My e-mail
addresses are:
o tzechao@aol.com
o tze.chao@usa.dupont.com
Let me hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Tze Chao
From: ********@**********.net (Randy Wetzel)
I stumbled upon your website and even though I have studied WWII for a
great many years I was completely shocked by the pictures I found and
the story that followed. I don't know how this was kept hidden all
these years but I'm not surprized. I will be getting the book and I
hope that more people find out about Nanjing for it is no less
important then what the Nazi's did.
From: *****@***.com
Dear Editor,
I thought you might be interested. We live in Allentown, Pa. just
north of Philadelphia, Pa. Our local cable company carries the History
Channel of dial position #47. Tomorrow [May 28, 1998 -ed.] night at
10:00pm EDT they are having a one-hour show on the Japanese War
Criminals. The show's complete title is "History Undercover:
Japanese's War Crimes & Trials: Murder Under the Sun." And it
will be aired again on May 30th. 7:00pm EDT.
The program guide reads as follows, "Japanese war crimes from the
1931 attack on China through World War II leads to the trials of the
perpetrators." If I see anything else I will let you know
immediately. The other night they mention something, but it lasted for
1 minute of a 1 hour show.
Did you catch the news last night, the Emperor of Japan visited
England and all the former British Prisoners of War protested his
visit. They are also demanding an apology and monetary payments for
their suffering in the Japanese camps. The Emperor said their law
doesn't not allow for such payments.
Sincerely yours,
Gregg Heilman
[Readers can find the programming listing at
the History Channel web site -ed.]
From: *****@*******.com
Dear Editor,
The Japanese film "Pride" depicting Tojo Hideki opened on Friday
(5/22/98) in Japan. We should email the Japanese film studio that
produced this film with our strongest condemnation and protests. We
can do this by posting this studio's email address on the cnd.org web
title page and ask people to email their letters. This will
contribute to the voices of our Chinese people. The studio's web page
is www.toei.co.jp. The web master's address is:
webmaster@mb.toei.co.jp
Thank you.
Ming Zuo
From: ****@***.org (Wei Lin)
Xinhua New Agency reported on May 26, 1998 that former Japanese Prime
Minister Tomiichi MURAYAMA said the film about hanged war criminal
Tojo does not reflect the views of Japanese people or government when
meeting with legislature head LI Peng in Beijing.
From: ******@*****.com (Dr. Fred R.Gualda)
Subject: Friendly correction to Yang Lin
Dear Yang Lin,
I only claimed to be a *student* of history, and to be aware of what
happened in Nanking.(Never to know all about anything) If you read my
letter carefully you realize I am talking about *the dirty war* in
Argentina, where 30,000 people dissappeared (a fate worse than death
for their families, still having some hope). Many of the perpetators
did repent publically, which is a minor miracle. If we have to wait
for a criminal to repent, to forgive it, then we are facing a life
full of resentment and we are our own victims. I found out that I can
forgive and live happy, but I can not forget. So I feel that to teach
the children about what happened, so it is never forgotten or
repeated, is the right thing to do. Hopefully there will be truth and
repentance some day, but it will be, like in Argentina, a minor
miracle.
Cordially,
F.R.Gualda M.D.
From: *********@******.**.za (Sam P Ford)
_From the bits that I gathered, I feel that I must purchase the book.
If I may, as I do not have a credit card, can I send a telgraphic
transfer to CND or the address to who I must have the T/T sent? I
would like to be able to publicise the book to our community - we have
youngsters here who are not even aware that we Chinese suffered at the
hands of the Japanese. It may also be a worhy collection to one's
library and perhaps each home must have one. If the Jews make the
young people realise about the Holocaust atrocities, genration after
generation, the Chinese should not just cast away the last 60 years as
if they never happened. In fact, wherever Chinese have been, they have
been discriminated - the U.S., India, Indonesia, Africa... and many
other places.
I look forward to hearing from you as to how to purchase the book
through the normal (not electronic) route.
Many thanks and best regards
de Sam
[We regret that due to limited volunteer manpower, we are not able to
help this gentleman from South Africa. Readers who do not have a
credit card to order the book from amazon.com can try to contact their
local bookstore to see if they can place special orders. -ed.]
From: *******@*******.com (Lee)
Dear Editor,
So far, Taiwan KMT president Lee Teng-Hui has never condemned the
crimes conducted by Japanese government during WWII with a single
sentence. Last year, he was shameless to please Japanese in saying
that: Japan apologized too much for the WWII crimes.... I wonder why
Japan wants to recognize Taiwan passports as the formal Chinese
passports.... President Lee Teng-Hui is a traitor of Chinese. I
wonder Lee Teng-Hui is a Japanese but his name was changed to Chinese.
Lee Teng-Hui is just opposed to all of us.
From: ******@*******.***.edu
I talked quite a bit with my Japanese friends about WWII. They know
some details about the war. Their knowledge, however, exposed their
twisted and deplorable education about WWII. How elaborate is their
emphasis on one part of that savage time and the negligence of the
other part! One of my friends is happy about the Chinese government
not asking for compensation. He takes it as generosity. He does not
trust the Koreans and the Russians as a race and thinks them violent
in nature. I asked him: "What a price can you offer for a person's
suffer, death and decency? What would you have done if you were that
bleeding Korean?" Only if they could see the scar in others' heart!
I watched "Joy Luck Club" with my Japanese friend. One disturbing
scene is when June's mother was swallowed into an endless line of
helpless people. My friend was truly puzzled by the fear inscribed on
the faces of the Chinese cilivians running away from Japanese
invasion. The twin infants' fate easily put tears into my friend's
eyes.
We are living in an age of peace. To us, the wars are categorized
events with a time table full of battles, heroism, glory of victory
and perhaps the number of death. The brutality of the war is hardly
captured in a history book. Sometimes, it is hard for us to truely
comprehend the disaster of the war. 300,000 is just a number. During
Japanese invasion, tens of millions of innocent civilians vanished
only as a heavy number. But they were born with a name and a family.
We should remember the victims once as an individual human being with
decency and love. Never let time rob their miser and their suffer off
our memory. This is the only way to learn from a war. To remind
ourselves how precious yet how vulnerable our lifes are!
I applaud Madam Iris Chang, for her truly noble pursuit of the truth
and the humanity! For her respect and passion for the victims of
Nanjing Massacre!
A formal apology for their invasion, a faithful record of the war in
their history textbook - if the Japanese Government ever does that -
is only the first step to display their sincerity. If they truely
want to avoid another war, the Japanese people should know why and how
the war was started and how the war turned a man into a soldier into a
bloody killer. They should know how the war deprived the decency and
life of innocent people and how the war caged bottled lovely children
as labeled samples for Japanese military research.
I challenge the Japanese government to give their people freedom to
face the truth of the war. Above that, I call for the courage and the
responsiblity of the society of the Japanese intellectuals to tell
their people the atrocity cast upon tens of millions of innocent
victims by Japanese invasion.
For a half centry, the Japanese intellectuals have been demonstrating
their phenomenological and respectful passion towards their victims of
the atomic bombs. We cry their cries for Hiroshima. We shed their
tears for Nagasaki. After the same half centry, we are yet waiting
for them to show their respect for the victims of Nanjing Massacre!
In any measure, Nanjing is a great city. Nanjing can forgive.
Nanjing will never forget!
From: ***@******.*******.ca (Ti X)
First of all I want to say thanks to CND for your great efforts to
offer and keep up such a spot. It's amazing for me to find out so many
readers sharing the same opinions, i.e., the strong disgust on
inhumanity and cheating. Reading these words, from deep inside my
heart, I appreciate the sympathy from all those non-Chinese readers as
well as their natural anger towards the unprecedented atrocities
committed by the Japanese Imperial Soldiers in WWII and in human
history.
However, as an ordinary Chinese, I would say I won't be surprised at
anything the Japanese GOVERNMENT had ever done or is going to do. We
know Japanese politicians, they have any virtue (such as,
intelligence, perseverence, and offcourse loyalty to their regime) but
credibility to others, as one reader wisely put. The book written by
Iris made an important push to let more and more people from different
cultural or geographical backgrounds learn what really happened in
China half a century ago. I once again strongly felt a sense of
justice sending from all these comments. Actually not only from here:
I once talked with one of my Canadian classmates when watching a TV
programming documenting the Japanese who showed great mourn on those
people who lost their lifes in WWII and ardently praying for peace, my
classmate said, "but who opened the war?" What a wise guy! See? people
are not suckers and so ignorant that the Japanese government can keep
changing the history without being found. And what a shame for those
liars to be found! However, Maybe that won't be a shame for them at
all, who knows. I agree with Bob NE, we, not only Chinese, should go
on making this web site running, I believe sooner or later we can make
a difference. Please never stop!
The point is we are not begging for a long overdued remorse which is
still uncertain to come. We are doing what we can to pursue the humen
dignity. Here I have some words for the Japanese government: CHINESE
ARE NOT BEGGING FOR YOUR APOLOGY, AND WE DON'T EVEN EXPECT THAT GIVEN
THE FEATS ACHIEVED BY YOUR BLOODY BRAVE FATHERS OR GRANDFATHERS AND
THE INCREDIBLY RIDICULOUS STORIES COINED BY YOU. PLEASE WAKE UP! I am
not spreading hatred, though I have inevitably, I am sorry (not to
Japanese!). I just want to say what's going on here in this forum is
definitely justified and worthwhile, because justice is invaluable and
worth of everything. It's good idea to let as much Japanese read this
book as possible (it would be funny if a well-educated Japanese
claimed that he/she was not able to read English), but don't expect
much anyway. WE ARE NOT ASKING, WE ARE CLAIMING FOR JUSTICE. I also
hope every Chinese (no matter from Mainland, Taiwan, or overseas) can
stand tightly side by side on this issue, don't let political
discrepency seperate us forever. We are not alone, we already see so
many moral backups through CND's forum. Well I agree that a more
forgiving attitude helps peace, but sometimes you simply don't have
choice. For example, if the Japanese government keeps taking the
stubborn stand to lie on the history which has never been really
changed from inside, who can secure there won't be another mad
character like Hideki Tojo appearing suddenly one day morning?
Japanese are even worshipping this piece of shit in public. Anything
can be lost but dignity and justice! It will be understandable to
monitor every step the Japanese government takes, and to make
necessary reactions in any time, since that government doesn't deserve
trust (it definitely doesn't need to be proved again). Remember Pearl
Harbour? Who the hell would have seriously thought that the Japanese
would really straddle the sea and attack the American without any
warning?! So a long-term alertness actually is necessary in order to
keep the real peace instead of naively trying to make peace with a
government who lies. What are you going to do if a man insists on
naming a deer as a horse when he acturally knows that a deer is a
deer? Keep trying to persuade him? Or, simply let him shut up.
What's the point to forgive a criminal who never really showed any
remorse, still trying his best to cover his crime, and even, feeling
proud of what he did?! Don't you think that's absurd and in effect,
very dangerous?! Sometimes, to some people, good willingness leads you
to the hell.
From: *******@*******.com (Lian Yang)
Part of the reason that this tragedy was not known by the majority of
the world was that the Chinese government had not even told their own
people about this until quite recently. Mao himself never cared about
Japanese crime. He even said that the CCP owes to Japan for giving a
chance to CPP to seize China. That's why I hate CCP more than I hate
Japs. This kind of mentality (treats Chinese people like dirt but
kiss up to foreingers) has got to stop! Otherwise we Chinese will
always be low class people. Also, we have to revenge against Japs! I
think one day this will happen because the younger generation Japs
have not learned any lesson yet.
From: *****@**.com (Peng Zhao)
Dear Editor,
I am a Chinese student/professional living in US now. We should
constantly remind the rest of world what Jappenese did during the
World War II.
On the other hand, we should look inside ourselves. After all, a
country has to be strong to protect itself from attacks in the future.
I am proud of our cultural traditions. But I feel shamed that our
country can tolerate Tiananmen massacre in late 20th century. There are
still a small group of people willing to kill anyone just to hold on
the power. There are soldiers being able to shoot the bullets into
their fellow citizens' bodies while looking at them. How could our
culture creat such animals!
I think a strong China really needs a strong social structure and
culture. I hope China will build a strong economy. I also hope that
China will build a better society. A strong economy along would not
guarantee better life for people. A strong Japan in 40s brought
miseries to Japanese people.
From: ****@***.org (Wei Lin)
AFP quoted on May 23, 1998 the director of the Jiangdongmen Memorial
Hall in Nanjing commemorating the massacre, ZHU Chengshan, as saying:
"The film (about Hideki Tojo) makes people indignant for it denies the
large-scale massacre in Nanjing in 1937 and says that the testimonies
of witnesses are nearly valueless." The film claimed the infamous war
criminal was innocent.
From: ****@**********.********.***.au (Rodger Luo)
Dear Editor,
I'm a regular of your publications and appreciated the effort you made
to gather information and comments in regard to the Nanjing Massacre
committed by Japanese Imperial Army during WWII. However, the
publication of Ms Iris Chang's book is just first step to let more and
more people become aware of the forgotten holocaust, and to force
Japanese Government to admit the atrocity and to take necessary
responsibilities for their crime against humanity. Looking at what
Jewish people have done and achieved on their part, I wonder what more
can we do to achieve our objectives. One very effective option, we
have is to put the Nanjing Massacre on screen, like what they did for
Jewish Holocaust. This, I believe, will be the most effective way to
get our message across. It may not be realistic to expect Chinese
Government to do that given what they have done to unofficial protests
etc, but surely with the support and financial backing of overseas
Chinese, I believe that it should be an achievable task. If donation
is needed I'll be one of the first to open my wallet and hundreds of
thousands will not hesitate to follow.
I do hope that someday I can sit in front of a screen watching how one
of darkest human histories was made.
From: ****@***.org (Wei Lin)
Agence France Presse pointed out in a report on May 14, 1998 about a
new Japanese film called "Pride, an Instant in a Lifetime"
glorifying the infamous WWII war criminal Hideki Tojo (Dong1Tiao
Ying1ji1), that "Japan has refused to officially apologize for
its wartime crimes and has consistently rejected official accounts of
the Nanjing massacre carried out by invading Japanese forces in
1937."
Tojo was the Japanese prime minister from 1941-1944 and was hanged in
the Tokyo tribunal after the war for his crimes against humanity.
AFP quoted a People's Daily editorial as saying the film "distorted
the Japanese history of aggression and whitewashed the aggressors."
The editorial concluded that "to bravely face the history is the only
way for Japan to achieve a proper pride."
In the May 11, 1998 issue of Time magazine, it was reported that
Japanese Ambassador Saito's attack on Iris Chang "has so far drawn
fire from only a few organizations, but Tokyo is less concerned about
Saito than about the damage the book may be doing to Japan's image in
the U.S. at a time of trade and economic tensions between Washington
and Tokyo."
From: *******@*******.com (Tom Yang)
Subject: How to tell it to a Japanese
I am from Taiwan, and tell me about it how vital the roll of education
is!
When I was 16, Chiang-Kei-Shek was basically God, and you had to kill
me first if you would ever try to tell me I was wrong.
Same thing happens to the general Japaness. They are innocent human
being. I have many Japaness friends and I don't want to kill them just
because they don't know some truths.
Instead of randomly spreading out the hatrets, which only makes things
worse, we have to be patient to try to calmly bring up the subject
with a Japaness.
Believe me. I, every now and then, still have the urge to bomb Tokyo,
rape and kill Japaness girls, or smash a Japaness child with a
baseball bet.... when I imagine those Nanking photos. It doesn't
work, and that's why 60 years passed and they still don't know about
it.
Buy your Japaness friends the book and no arguing.
From: **********@**********.com (Luis)
I have read Iris Chang's book, "The Rape of Nanking", and I feel rage.
My wife is Japanese and I am torn between comdemning a nation for
something that happened 60 years ago. However, whenever a Japanese
politician utters a denial or try to twist historic events, I feel the
rage all over again. If one or two politician/government official
made these remarks, they can be excused as ignorant, but the pattern
of denial but high ranking Japanese Government Official makes me
believe there is a conspiracy to change historical facts.
When I asked my wife about her knowledge of WWII, her knowledge of the
events of WWII are very limited. Sad to say, She acknowledges that
the general Japanese public have very limited knowledge of events in
Asia that lead to the Pacific War.
The Japanese Ministry of Education censors all History textbooks. The
Invasion of China has been Phrased as the "Advance into China".
Rather than learn from their mistakes, the Japanese have rationalized
their behavior in Korea, China, and the rest of Asia during the war.
Although the brutality of Japanese troops are no secret to any Asian
nation affected by the war in Asia, the Japanese Government and media
have constantly conspired to rationalized the War and portrayed the
Japanese as victims, this attitude has not changed much since the
events leading to WWII. Some example are:
The war in Asia is portrayed as a war of liberation of Asian nations
from the western colonial powers. I find this reasoning as flawed.
Their behavior and attitude after their invasions are proof of their
real motive.
Also, the general perception in Japan was they were forced to become
aggressors in self defense because of economic sanctions imposed by
western powers. Again, this rationalization has no validity since the
sanctions were made in reaction to Japanese transgression in Korea and
China in the first place.
Also, It is well known the battalion 731 in China conducted extensive
biological experiments on human. The rationalization in the Japanese
Psyche is those sins have been forgiven (by the American) in exchange
for receiving the results of the experiments. Another rationalization
is the atomic bomb in Nagasaki and Hiroshima negate these
atrocities. Many member of this battallion served in High Ranking
positions in the Japanese Government after the war.
The pattern continues in the case of the comfort women. The Japanese
Government have continuesly denied the involvement in the operation of
brothels during the war. They finally was forced to admit the facts
after proof that the Japanese Imperial Army was directly operating the
brothels.
I find that the Japanese Government severely lacks credibility. I am
not a historian or sociologist. However, I challenge the Japanese
Government to open up their war archives which they keep secret for
national security reason for scholars to study. This will help us in
determining the TRUTH.
I find "Truthfulness" is not a Japanese virtue. It can easily be
sacrificed for convenience.
From: ********@*****.com (Yang Lin)
Dear CND,
Dr. F.R.Gualda felt too good about his historic knowledges. Nobody
can claim he knows or "is aware of " everything. First, I want to
remind Dr. F.R. Gualda that the number of killed during the Nanking
massacre is NOT 30,000, it is TEN TIMES that amount! Secondly, in
order for criminals to be forgiven, they MUST repent, or at least
admit the crime.
Yet, when we are blaming the Japanese for denying the facts, we should
ask ourselves: why is there such a big difference between the Japanese
and German? Because the German are repentant, and Japanese are
stubborn? The answer is "No!". I share the opinion "that after WWII
the occupatant of Japan was not Chinese, but American. American have
released theirhatred to Japanese with atom bomb." But this is not the
"very reason". As Wang points out, "the Japanese's attitude towards
the WWII is not only backed up by their government, by silence of USA,
but also by Chinese Governments (Mainland & Taiwan)." The tension
between these two countries is result from the connivance of the
Chinese government and denial of Japanese, and can be eased up only if
the Japanese admit the crime and apologize for what they did. The
Chinese government should take their part.
From: *****@***************.com (Bob NE)
I really appreciate Iris's noble effort (this is so because her book
immensely enriches humanity and exposes the evil nature of the
Japanese Imperial Army) in making general public aware of the true
historical event and hope that all those ignorant Japanese will at
least have a chance to redeem their past generation's evil act by
discovering the truth. I understand and believe that the Japanese
Society as a whole needs to be structurally reformed in the areas of
education and history. Especially ethical, moral and historical
responsibilities of a people, race and nation. Before those reforms
are successfully carried out, Japan cannot and MUST NOT be allowed to
expect to become a permanent member of the UN security Council. The
present and successive Chinese government must make this absolutely
clear to the Japanese that unless she meets this moral
requirement(i.e., structural reform in Japanese people's history
education) or else her aspirations will remain a dream by the moral
veto of 1.3 billion people at the security council.
Best regards to all those volunteers maintaining this Web site. Never
Give Up. Keep up the good work for generations to come if necessary.
From: *********@*******.com (Wanda Wang)
Dear CND,
It has been interesting reading the messages concerning the Nanking
Massacre from people who have heard or read Iris Chang's book. I am a
student at a UC researching the attrocities and how it has affected
the community and its response. In order for me to find materials
concerning further research since hardly anything has been written
concering this area, I have to search the net for recent materials.
One thing that is essential in pointing out about the responses is
that a lot of people acted out on emotions once the book was
publish. However, this may be a reaction Iris Chang might have wanted,
I question, is that it? A reaction and nothing more? As a scholar in
history, the reaction of the public did not see the message Chang
points to. The holocaust in China is the same that occured for Jews in
WWII. The lack of coverage and discussion led to the silencing which
was contributed by everyone in the world. Because everyone in the
world knew that these atrocities occured and no one stopped the
Japanese.
This discourse is different from that of Japanese Americans and
Chinese Americans in that, the relationships between these two
communities is that of tension. Not to say that this history has
effected social and cultural relationships. Among researchers in
interracial marriages, you will find that many Chinese American
families find fault in their daughters marrying Japanese American men
or visa versa. Why? Does it have to do with History? A forgotten
History?
From: *****@******.com (Juan Lee)
Dear Editor,
I am a very ordinary Chinese. Whenever I recall the Chinese history
especially during WWII, I fill with anger about the Japanese invasion
of China. I learned the killing of Japanese invasion from school,
parents ....etc. I have obsession of this matter that my whole family
knows. What I did for this matter is donated a few Iris Chang's books
to the university and local library copy all the materials related to
this topic to all the people I know and asked them to support it that
included sending support letter for 126 bill to their congressmen I
did send those to congressman... supported the former Japanese
soldier Mr. Shiro Azuma by gethering supporter names and faxed it to
Tokyo I showed up in the Iris chang's lecture in DC and stepped
forward to prove the truth of Japanese killing during WWII.... So far
I haven't heard anything from the dissidents about this matter. Such
as Mr. Wei Jingsheng, I respected him as a hero like a fairy tale before
he was released I am getting more and more disapointed with Mr. Wei's
ideas... People told me that Chinese like "internal war". Maybe it is
true... I don't know. If having different opinions, please say so.
From: ***@***.edu (Wang)
Dear Editor,
The book by Iris Chang reminded us the miserable history. The
Japanese's attitude towards the WWII is not only back up by their
government, by silence of USA, but also by Chinese Governments
(Mainland & Taiwan).
Now we can buy the book and donate it to public libraries and let the
world remember the history, we do what we should do. One thing I want
to address is "Where are the Chinese Governments (mainland & Taiwan)?
and Who do they backup?" When Chinese people show their outrage to
Japanese Government, when they want to get the fairness from the
history, they are trashed and seized. When I saw such kind of news,
what can I say? Sigh.
Wake up, Chinese GovermentSSS!
From: *****@******.****.******.com (Tze Chao)
Dear Editor: This is my 3rd letter to you. Having held back my
feeling of deep disgust for more than a week after having read
Japanese Ambassador Saito's dennounciation of Iris Chang's book, and
Dr. F. R. Gualda's letter describing a letter campaign of attempting
to sway the oppinion of the professionals, I am compelled to write.
I believe the majority of Chinese in this country who participate in
the movement are NOT doing it for Japan-bashing or to prolong the
hatred. IT IS FOR EXPOSING THE NAKED TRUTH OF THE HORRIBLE ACT
AGAINST HUMANITY COMMITTED BY IMPERIAL JAPANESE SOLDERS DURING WW-II,
THE SO-CALLED "KNIGHTS OF BUSHUDO". BY LEARNING THE STARK TRUTH OF A
TRAGIC MISTAKE, LATER GENERATIONS WILL, HOPEFULLY, LEARN THE BITTER
LESSON SO THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!!
I only now start to appreciate more deeply what my father had gone
through and had accomplished during the Sino-Japanese war and in
WW-II.
He fought gallantly against Japanese aggression in those miserable
years prior to WW-II. He fought the infamous "813"-- the Battle of
Shanghai which preceded the Nanking Massacre. He also engaged in the
bloody Battle of Changsha. Later, during the darkest days of
Sino-Japanese war he was sent to the jungles of Burma engaging in the
life and death battle against the vicious Japanese 18th Army Corps.
He and his fellow Chinese wariors finally succeeded in reopening the
Burma Road so that China could continue to resist the onslaught of the
ruthless Japanese invasion. He won a Silver Star Medal from the
U. S. Government. But I got to keep the Samurai sword he captured
from the Japanese Colonel whose regiment my father's wariors had
annihilated.
My brother and I always enjoyed listening to his war stories when we
were elementary and high school pupils. He always told us how fierce
and arrogant the Japanese solders fought in battle fields, especially
in the beginning of that war. He said in order TO SUBDUE THEM YOU
MUST FIRST SHOCK THEM INTO HUMILILTY.
It looks that the Japanese right-wing extremists just can't get the
message. They are arrogantly and stubbornly hold on to the notion
that the Emporer and his Imperial solders including his Uncle hadn't
committed any war crime. They couldn't the wrong. What has happened
in Nanking is just a "normal" act of war and that the Chinese has
grossly exaggerated the event!!
Must we do something "drastic" to shock them to submission?!
Best wishes.
From: *********@***.com (Michael Shiu)
The Japanese still harbored the thought to become an imperial nation
again. By denying the the massacre, Japan hoped that peoples in the
world one day can forget this terrible action by the Japanese army.
We must not let them off the hook. Meanwhile we should be thinking not
to buy Japanese, buy American. We must watch Japan's every move they do
until they repent!!
From: ***@***.****.*****.jp
It is very hard for me to read English book, So I will go to buy the
BOOK in Japanese or Chinese when they appear.
The following is not well organized, but I hope it will help you to
understand the Japanese attitude to their crime in China.
I have been in Japan for many years. I tried sometime to talk the
Japanese invansion to China, but mostly they do not respond me,
(although they will talk with you any subject else.) I think many of
us (Chinese in Japan) have the same experience. My supervisor told to
me that he did not believe the number of 300,000 that were killed in
Nanking by Japanese. Japanese usually say things indirectly when they
know you are not sharing the opinion with them. So I took it seriously
but did not how to reply him.
You may all heard that some Japanese politicians ever said that the
Japanese protected the Northeast China from Soviet Union, The Japanese
should be thanked.While I met a professor who visited Jieling (or some
place there) University, he found many buildings were built by
Japanese, so he said it is natural that China did not ask for the war
compensation.I lost my temper then. The only way to prove that they
are stupid is to ask for the compensation. We will.
A friend woring at Tsukuba told me that, some years ago, a Chinese
academia representative visited Tuskuba, where located a lot of
Japanase National laboratories, The director (who was in charge of
many institutes,level above the director of each institute) denied to
meet the Chinese representative. Of course he was said he was not
there, but actually he was there and also was in China during the war.
When you visit Countryside in Japan, you can see tombs in each
village, well constructed.You can find some are dedicated to those
lost their lives in war FOR THE COUNTRY. Their sons, grandsons take
proud of that. And the Japanese government are paying them
compensation.
So it is hard for the Japanese to change their attitude to what they
did in China in WWII. Chang's book may be something to them.
From: ******@*****.com (Dr F.R.Gualda)
Subject: puzzled
As a history student I am very much aware of what happened in Nanking,
and so is the rest of the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong in
making it public, so it can be FORGIVEN, like atrocities were forgiven
in South Africa. I received in my medical office, to my great
surprise, literature to the effect of negating that the rape of
Nanking ever happened. Somebody was spending a lot of money in an
organized effort to contact American professionals with this type of
infantile propaganda.
I can not imagine who other than the Japanese government or some of
its agents trying to protect the economy.
Japan should sponsor such knowledge, not supress it. This recognition
of responsability is the necessary step to be forgiven. We all carry a
reptile in the bottom of our conciousness, that sometimes can get out
of control, but we have to recognize that it is there, before we can
control it. All those wonderful small children of Japan, born so far
away in time from WWII deserve to know the truth, so they never follow
the road of violence. I love the Japan that has produced such great
persons as Mister Morita, a true friend of all humans, and I feel that
recognizing the errors of the past is not beyond the reach of most
good Japanese people. Love to all Asia, from a physician origanally
from Argentina. We have forgiven our holocaust that cost more than
30,000 lives.(The dirty war). What is the point of keeping the hate
going?
From: ********@******.net (Matthew Z. Luo)
I have bought several copies of Iris Chang's book, "The Rape of
Nanking", and donated them to local libraries and university.
I am from Nanjing. The fact of Nanjing Massacre is not something new
to me. Along the bank of Yangtze River in Xiaguang district where I
used to live, one can easily find many large or small monuments
devoted to the victims of Nanjing Massacre. One of my colleague's
grandfather was killed by Japanese invader while he was absolutely a
civilian of Nanjing. When I opened the book, all the familiar photos
agonized me so much that I could not read through it.
One of your reader, who is also from Nanjing, mentioned that he wasn't
aware of the Massacre because he lived with neighbors most of them
were not from Nanjing. That is a very fact that not many today's
Nanjinger are from Nanjing. Nanjing is a major historic city with a
nickname of "Ancient Capital of Ten Dynasties". Why there
were not many native Nanjingers in Nanjing? To my knowledge, there
were two major purges in Nanjing's history. One was when Nanjing, then
"Tianjing (Capital of the Heaven)" of TaiPingTianGuo, fell
into the hands of Qing Emperor's royal army, the other was the Rape of
Nanjing or Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Army. I am not a
historian. I don't have detailed figure. However, that's what I know
about Nanjing's history of population unless someone can correct me
with facts.
I was very angry when heard Ambassador of Japan to the US
attacking Iris Chang's book. I suggest that CND post addresses of
Japan Government and Embassy in the US on the net so that readers
can send their protest to Japan.
Please convey my appreciation to Iris Chang for her work on the
subject of Nanjing Massacre. CND's promotion on the awareness of her
book is also appreciated.
A reader from Nanjing
From: ******@***.com (Helen Cheng)
I thought that I was prepared when I opened the book, but I was wrong!
I was total disgusted and outraged by the gruesome crimes committed
by the Japanese during World War II, and by the fact that Japanese
government is still shamelessly denying their crimes.
I know that we all like the excellent quality of Honda cars, but I do
not ever want to buy anything made in Japan until they acknoledge and
apologize for their crimes.
In the meantime, I have been telling all my American friends and
collegue about this book and about those horrifying killings.
The denial from Japanese's government is sending a loud and clear
message to the world: "we don't think there was anything wrong with
what we have done and we WILL do it AGAIN if we can!"
Subject: Japan Unrepentant on Its WWII War Crime
From: ****@***.org
When asked by UPI on April 22, 1998 to elaborate on Japanese
Ambassador's Denunciation of Iris Chang's book on the Nanjing
Massacre, Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Yutaka Aoki's answer
reaffirmed what another CND reader said about Japan as a nation being
without any remorse for its war crime.
Subject: Japanese Ambassador Denounces "The Rape of Nanking"
From: UDCA <UDCA@****.******.edu>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: Laurel Cook 212.207.7838,
publicist at Basic Books. Email: Laurel.Cook@perseusbooks.com
Failing to give any specific arguments or evidence, the Japanese
Ambassador to the United States took the extraordinary move of
attacking a well-documented, international bestselling book THE RAPE OF
NANKING (Basic Books). Author Iris Chang and her book were denounced
by Ambassador Kunihiko Saito at a press conference in Washington, DC
with Japanese reporters on April 21. Ambassador Saito criticized the
book as "contain(ing) many extremely inaccurate descriptions and
one-sided views on the case. It's not a good thing that such a book
has been published and has attracted great attention." The book is the
first comprehensive account written in English of the massacre that
occurred in the city of Nanking, China in December 1937 when Japanese
soldiers invaded the city and during seven weeks killed over 260,000
Chinese civilians and raped an estimated 20,000 -80,000 women.
Iris Chang is stunned by the statement. She asks the ambassador to
name the "erroneous" parts of the book and challenges him to debate her
on national television. On the statements from the Foreign Ministry
Yutaka Aoki that, "inaccuracies in the book include assertions that
there are no descriptions on Nanking atrocities in Japanese textbooks,"
Chang replies that she does not assert that there are no descriptions
in Japanese textbooks. What she does claim is that the subject of the
Nanking massacre is censored, distorted or downplayed with such terms
as the "so-called Nanking Massacre" or "the Nanking incident" and the
death toll is routinely minimized.
Jack McKeown, President and CEO of Perseus Book Group states, "We think
Iris Chang has performed a vital service in turning a spotlight on the
tragedy of sixty years ago in Nanking. As publishers, we will continue
to strive to bring the book's message to the widest possible audience.
Many eminent scholars and historians have reviewed this book in glowing
terms. While we are sure that Ambassador Saito was sincere in his
remarks, if he has specific knowledge of inaccuracies in The Rape of
Nanking, we would like to know what they are."
THE RAPE OF NANKING was published by Basic Books, a member of the
Perseus Books Group in December 1997 and is now in its 17th printing
with over 130,000 books in print. It remained on the New York Times
Bestseller List for 13 weeks and also hit the bestseller lists in the
Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and
San Francisco Chronicle (the book was a #1 bestseller in the
Chronicle). Foreign rights have been sold in German, World Spanish,
Taiwan, China, Czech and Italy. The book will be published in Japan
despite negative publicity in Japan by publisher Kashiwa Shobo.
From: ******@***.edu (Yuehui Zhou)
I noticed this book in downtown Boston when I was there on a trip in
March. I am glad that finally somebody has written such a book.
At the same time I am asking why Japanese are so different compared
with German at viewing the WWII. I have been in Germany and
Switzerland for several years and also in English speaking countries
like Canada and USA. My impression is, there are even more documental
films about WWII shown on TV in German speaking countries than in
English speaking ones. The general opinion of ordinary people about
the war is unambigously that Hilter's invasion was wrong and the
Holocaust during the war was crime.
I don't think the reason is that Japanese is specially a shameless
nation. I believe as human being Japanese share the same feelings as
we Chinese, especially because of the influence of Confusionism
throughout Japanese history. One fact we forgot when we are angry at
Japanese attitute toward WWII is that after WWII the occupatant of
Japan was not Chinese, but American. American have released their
hatred to Japanese with atom bomb and occupation to great extent. Some
American even think the atom bomb was too much. They tried hard to
help Japan to reconstruct. The war crimes against Asian nations were
never heartfully accounted on. Plus the rise of the communism in China
mainland, American needed rearm Japan as anticommnist ally. The war
crimes were forgotten. This is the very reason why Japanese dont show
any remorse to the war crimes. They never think they lost to Asian
nations. They are still suprior over all nations in Asia. If this
attitute continues we can logically imagine that in many years there
would be another world war with main stage in Asia to give an end of
this arrogancy and angry. The question is: is that what Japanese
want?? Is that what American want??
I don't think so. To solve this problem, American MUST take
resonsibility to force Japan to realize its war crimes, even it
appears not in American interests in short run. But it's only thing we
can do to solve this historic problem and it surely is in American's
interest in long run. The book of Iris Chang can serve this point very
well. There should be more such books not only condeming Japanese
atrocities in WWII but also arrousing American's conciousness of
resposibility in Asia.
From: ****@***.***.edu.au (Kang Zhang)
I went to two major bookshops in Sydney, Australia, to buy Chang's
bestselling book. But to my surprise, none of the shops has heard of
this book.
Could you do something to help, say, suggesting to the publisher to
market the book in Australia?
I am sure many many people here would like to read this book.
[Amazon.com will ship internationally. One CND editor in UK has bought
the book this way. The international postage does make it more
expensive. We will attempt to forward the message to the publisher.
-- WL, Bookshelf Maintainer]
From: *****@******.****.******.COM (Tze Chao)
Dear Editor:
To follow up on my comment I sent you last month, I am pleased to
inform you that the Chinese Americans and Chinese of the Greater
Delaware Area have decided to hold a special exhibit on the Japanese
crime against humanity during WW-II. The central theme of the exhibit
will focus on the Nanjing massacre.
I have already invited Ms. Iris Chang to deliver a speech on Nanjing
in November when she will come to our area on a Viking Penguin
paperback book tour. During the exhibit we will try to sell 100
copies of Ms. Chang's book. The early birds will be fortunate enough
to give their books autographed by Iris.
Best regards,
Tze Chao
From: *******@*******.com (Rober Lee)
I will donate the book to my public liberary. thank you for the info.
From: **********@*****.com
Dear Editor:
Needless to say Iris Chang's book is good since it's the first such
book in English.
But, is it enough only letting the world know Nankin was "raped" by
Japanese soldiers in 1937 ? Is it glorious for us Chinese to only
publish to the world such a book without demanding that Japan as a
nation must pay back, now, without demanding "an eye for an eye"? No!
I once showed the book to an American colleague whose wife is a
Taiwanese. He responded: "why don't you simply invade Japan, rape
Tokyo, bomp and destroy the whole Japan ? You've got atomic bomps,
see how we did." I'm fully for this spirit.
In international affairs, to seek justice or apology only proves the
disability and undetermination of the nation. China has to be strong,
and I'm glad, like most of Chinese overseas, except those oversea
dissidents who live on the "oversea democracy movement" and otherwise
cannot make a living, that China is building into a power.
Power kills the enemy, power prevents being killed.
Best wishes for all of us Chinese.
From: ****@******.com (Henry Chen)
Dear CND editor,
I just want to mention that your effort in promoting the valuable
book, The Rape of Nanking, is greatly appreatiated. I just bought the
book and will donate it to our local library!
From: *****@***.com
Dear CND Editor, I had written you recently that I was going to donate my
copy of the "The Rape of Nanking" to our local library. It will have to
wait for now, a number of my friends have asked me if they may have it
to read, it is hard for people to believe what I have told them until
they see it for themselves. I have sent a number of Nanking Internet
Homepages to the History Channel, I cc one to you. If you can try
getting everyone who can write them, encourage them to do a show on this
tragic and sad event in the History of the Human Race. I believe, if
they suspect that enough of us want to see this revealed to their
viewers they can be pressured to cover it. It can't hurt to try, and try
we must until all are educated to this "Rape of Nanking".
Therefore I have sent the following comment to them:
> Dear Sir, I have just finished reading the Best Seller "The Rape of
> Nanking". I believe we owe it to the Human Race to somehow cover this very
> very sad part of our history of the human race (inhuman race)on the History
> Channel. I honestly don't know how or when you could do a show on this very
> sad and difficult book, but it needs to be done. Please find a copy and
> start the production immediately. Sincerely yours, Gregg S. Heilman
[Note: The History Channel is a cable TV channel. It's web site is at
http://www.HistoryChannel.com, and viewers' suggestion for programming can be
sent to viewr1@aetv.com (Viewer Relations).]
From: *****@******.****.******.COM (Tze Chao)
Dear Editor:
First allow me to compliment your excellent work. It's commendable!
I've read Iris' book entitled "The Rape of Nanking ....". It is more
powerful than guns! With this "weapon", we Chinese and Chinese
Americans in the U. S. should united to keep Japan out of the U.N.
Security Council and bring about a long over due formal apology from
its emperor, to correct its textbook on the Nanking massacre and their
war crimes in WW-II, and to pay reparation to ALL victims and their
offsprings.
If Jewish people can bring about justice to the European WW-II
holocaust, even to this day, why couldn't we Chinese, the so-called
descendant of Emperors Yan-Huang??
From: *******@*******.ca (Yinquan Wang)
I am a regular reader of HXWZ since I came to Canada as a visiting
scholar. I'd like to buy one copy of the Rape of Nanjing by Iris Chang
although I don't have much money.
From: *****@******.com (greg zhou)
I once had a co-worker and good friend who was from Japan but educated
in the states (Ph.D EE from Cornell) and worked in the a
U.S. company. He is about 45 years old now. Once I asked him how he
felt about the Japanese invasion to China. He told me that he and his
Japanese friends did not have much feeling about the invasion, either
good or bad. My conclusion is that all facts about Japanese war crimes
have been covered up or distorted.
Therefore, I would like to see the book , Rape of Nanking, to be
translated into other major languages, especially Japanese. We should
also donate enough copies of the book in Japanese to all the
university and community libraries in Japan. I estimated the cost of
doing those to be around $2M. We should start raising fund just to do
that. I would also like to see other books about Nanking massacre to
be translated into Japanese and donated to the libraries in Japan.
From: ****@***.org (Ming Zhang)
We bought three copies and plan to donate one copy to the city library
and one copy to wife's school library, simply following CND's instructions.
From: *****@***.com (Gregg Heilman)
My father survived the attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7th. 1941. He
never talked much about it or the next four years he spent crossing
the Pacific Ocean with the Army AirCorps fighting the Japanese. But,
the one thing he mentioned on a number of occasions was the photos and
movies of the Japanese using Chinese POW's for live bayonet
practice. My father had seen so much during the Dec. 7th attack, and
in those four following years. Yet, it was those photos that troubled
him, seeing these fellow warriors murdered in such a savage way, it
never left him. Now after all these years my father is gone, but I
have now seen those same pictures in "The Rape of Nanking" by Iris
Chang. Now I share my father's rage and anger. May none of us rest to
these people are made to acknowledge and confess what they have done!
I am going to follow your group's suggestion and donate my copy of "The
Rape of Nanking" by Iris Chang to our Allentown, Pa., public
library. I just purchased it this weekend and read it through
immediately, the book is still like new and so I will donate it this
Saturday. It will always be with me in my heart, and I will be sharing
its story with all who will listen.
From: Guchen (******@***.com)
Iris Chang has certain written an exellent book about Nanjing
Massacre. I bought this book, read it and then recommended it to all
of coworkers of my company. This is the first book ever is able to
push up my blood pressure and make me cry! I'll tell the local library
to buy this book and buy some for the local churches and
schools. Please deliver my regards to Chang and tell her we will stand
by for her anytime and in any form, fund support or searching
information in the Mainland. There is another event not fully
unveiled; the Jappanese 731 unit scattered plague in the its habitat
area and the neighborhood before it withdrew. Hundred thausands people
were infected and kill. Many families were completely wiped out. Of my
family, my aunts amd cousins totaled more than 10 were killed. My
mother was infected but survived. Only person not infected was my
father. My family lived in TongLiao at that time. It should be a good
topic as well. Thank you all for the excellent work.
From: Murat Quadir (*******@*****.***.edu)
Madam Iris Chang's book "The Rape of Nanking" will surely help the world
to remember that Misery suffered by ca. 300,000 innocent Chinese civilians.
May their souls finally feel some rest.
Perhaps, another book is needed to revel how (many) Chinese people were
murdered, killed, raped...etc... etc. during the cultural revaluation.
"Nanking Tragedy" occurred 50 years ago; the "Peking 6.4 Massacre" was in
1989.
Now it is 1998...
From: ********@********.**.jp
For your information, The book the Rape of Nanking English version is
available in the largest Japanese book store Kinokuniya in Sinjyuku,
the center of Tokyo.
From: ****@*****.**********.edu
Dear CND-editors,
thank you very much for the information on Iris Chang's book, "The Rape of
Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II." I first learned this
book from your news service and bought one myself recently. Now I have
almost finished the book. I felt agony and rage that such a crime has been
committed to my fellow Chinese and yet was almost forgotten by the whole
world.
I was born in Nanjing and am very proud to be a son of the city although my
parents are from Sichuan and moved to Nanjing in the 50s. I grew up on a
college campus, a place where 90% of the residents were not native of
Nanjing. So we all cheered when it was announced that the then Japanese
prime minister Tanaka (? I am not sure about the spelling) was going to
visit China because it was regarded as a final break through of
international isolation after so many turbulent years. However, one day my
second older brother came back from his factory and told me that somebody's
grandmother said she probably would not have a chance to face Tanaka. If
she had had the chance, she would take her last bit of force to bite a
piece off him, because the Japanese Army massacred 300,000 people in
Nanjing! I was too young that time to comprehend the extend of that event
and had never learned much details about it until Chang's book, yet the
words of the old woman have never vanished from my memory.
It was suggested that we should buy the book and donate it to the local
library or simply ask the local library to buy a copy. It has also been
reported that the book has been translated into Chinese, German, Spanish,
Czech, etc. It is important to let American public and the rest of the
world know the truth. However, as it became apparent in the interview with
Ms. Chang, there is no JAPANESE translation yet. I think it is even more
important to help the Japanese people to face their past and learn the
truth because the crime to Asian and American people were committed by the
Japanese Army and the Japanese general public has only received a rather
biased education of World War II history.
Many of us have Japanese friends, colleagues, or collaborators, here in
North America or already back in Japan. Most of them are open minded and
can also read English. I suggest, therefore, that we should engage them
into learning the truth. Yet subtlety has to be preserved. Simply buying a
book and putting it in front of their face may be perceived as an
attribution of ignorance, thus an offense. So we have to make them aware of
the facts and the books, and let them search for truth. Starting with the
more educated Japanese people, I hope one day the general public in Japan
will finally learn the truth. The hope is in the younger generation.
I spent some years in Germany in the 80s. The Germans have worked out their
past, at least in the western part of Germany, of course with the help of
the US, that a democratic society was created under the Marshall plan.
History of World War II including Holocaust has been taught, Nazi thoughts
have been discussed and condemned in classrooms. As my personal
observation, Japan has never gone through such a process.
I want again to express appreciations from the bottom of my heart for your
selfless devotion and dedication to promote peace, democracy, and
understanding of each other.
From: **@***.**.jp
If any of you ever come to Japan and have a chance living here for a
while, you will be shocked by the public attitude towards WWII! The
young generation has absoultly no idea of what have happend in WWII;
while the old generation still think that Japan liberated Asians from
the western power. This is a nation without any remorse.
From: *******@********.*** (John H. Roberts)
I have just finished reading Iris Chang's riveting account of the
Nanking massacre.
I first became aware of these atrocities as an undergraduate student
at Southern Methodist University during the mid-'50s where I had the
opportunity to attend screenings of captured German and Japanese films
documenting the Nazi death camps and the Japanese treatment of captive
civilians, notably Nanking.
It occurred to me how fortunate I was to be on the victorious side of
the participants in the war, but had I been on the defeated side, I
would have preferred to be under German subjugation rather than the
more brutal and inhumanely cruel Japanese.
Iris Chang deserves a Pulitzer prize for her thorough research and,
what to her, must be an agonizingly painful part of her family's
history. I congratulate her on reminding the rest of us that we dare
not forget the suffering inflicted on humanity by the vast worldwide
conflict which occurred such a short time ago!
From: ****@***.*** (Wei Lin)
I very much appreciate the ABC Nightline Dec. 11, 1997 program and the
ending comments of Mr. Ted Koppel. No doubt this program was made because
Iris Chang's book brought awareness to the topic. Japanese atrocity
is the part of WWII history that is less known outside of
Asia. Sometimes you hear people questioning the use of the Atomic
Bombs in Japan. One should never forget the historical context, that
were it not for the atomic bombs that made the war ended sooner,
hundreds of thousands more civilians in Asian countries under Japanese
aggression would have died, and Chinese, American, and other allied
forces would have suffered much more casualities. To this day, while
the Japanese people commemorate the atomic bombing victims, they and
their politician also go to the infamous national Shinto Temple
Yasukuni to give honors to Japanese war criminals enshrined
there. While there are peace-loving Japanese people who courageously
fight for the right to teach history as what really happened, the
government-sanctioned textbook is painting a totally distorted version
of the WWII, and it is obvious that the Japanese nation overall is
without remorse for the crime Japanese soldiers commited in Nanjing,
Pearl Harbor, and countless other places.
Nanjing Massacre is a wound that has not healed in the Chinese
hearts. The overall Japanese attitude certainly has added salt to that
wound. It is with the hope that human civilization will evolve to
eliminate horrific wars that we should always remember the dark pages
of history. I invite everyone to visit the Online Nanjing Massacre
Memorial at http://www.cnd.org/njmassacre/ and urge you to buy the
book by Iris Chang.
Peace.
From: "Paul Anforth"
To:
Subject: Japanese Atrocities
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 00:01:30 +1000
Dear Editor,
On your "history We shall never forget page" under "other Japanese
crimes against humanity" you show a man about to be beheaded by
Japanese. You state he is a U.S. pilot.
He is in fact an Australian Army Seargeant by the name of L.G.
Sifflett. This can be verified through the Australian War memorial in
Canberra (they have a web site and email address).
The Imperial Japanese Army committed many attrocities against many
races during this period of time and still has a lot to answer for,
sadly, those responsible for the attrocities have managed to live
fulfilled lives and died in their beds as free men.
Yours faithfully
Paul Anforth
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WL
