General's Indictment

The Chinese High Command had warm words of praise last week for Major General Claire Chennault's Fourteenth Air Force. It had helped slow the Japanese thrust into Shensi. But the General was in no mood to praise or be praised. He called in American and Chinese newspapermen to hear harsh news: thieves and gangsters in "both organized and unorganized bands" were hampering the operations of his air force.

The General itemized his indictment. Tires and wheels have been stolen from P-51 Mustangs. Bomb parts have been stolen, making the bombs duds. Emergency jungle kits in parachutes (containing jungle knives, rations, matches, etc.) have been looted, probably resulting in death to flyers downed over jungle terrain. Ammunition, weapons, gasoline and vehicles are stolen everywhere.

Almost any G.I. in China theater could have enlarged the indictment. Widespread thievery is the secret grievance the average American soldier holds against China. At one base the rotor and timing gear on a tractor used for loading heavy bombers were stolen. The parts could not be replaced in China.

Economic pressure, not anti-Americanism, is behind the thievery. The Chinese people are being crushed between poverty and inflation. Rural bandits prey on their own people with hair-raising savagery.

To save the strength of the Army, General Chennault urged Chinese people not to buy stolen equipment, which is easily identifiable. Japanese forces, maneuvering in central China, seemed preparing drives against the U.S. bases at Chihkiang in southern Hupeh and Poseh in western Kwangsi. The Fourteenth Air Force would need all its strength.

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