Exhibition to Show Japan's War Crimes

Two Chinese collectors are to stage an exhibition on Japan's invasion of China in Oakland, California, in September.

The exhibition is scheduled to last for one month before going on tour in major US cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington DC and New York.

Co-organized by Tien-Wel Wu, an 81-year old historian on Japan's aggression in China at the Southern Illinois University, the exhibition is to be held in the Chinese Holocaust Museum of the United States.

A total of 918 pieces of evidence will be presented to let visitors review the 1894-1945 history: from the beginning of the Japanese invasion of China to the island's defeat in World War II.

The two collectors -- Zhan Hongge and Yang Guang from Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning Province -- have contributed all 918 items to be displayed.

The figure 918 is used to commemorate the historical ``9.18 Incident,'' an incident took place in September 18, 1931, which resulted in Japanese militarists' massive invasion in Northeastern China and later the whole of the country in 1937.

``We hope the exhibition can help visitors recognize history and avoid repeating mistakes,'' said Zhan.

Formerly a successful businessman, Zhan became a full time collector of Japanese war crimes during the invasion years.

``This exhibition will also mark the 70th anniversary of the `9.18' Incident,'' added Zhan.

The 918 items, including munitions, photos, maps, currencies, bonds and newspapers, are chosen from roughly 10,000 items that Zhan and Yang own.

The 918 pieces of collections, originally created by the Japanese to commend its power of conquest, have become proof of Japan's war crimes.

Among the 918 items are some 400 photos taken by Japanese photographers recording in detail how the government sent 1.1 million soldiers to Northeast China during the 1904-05 period when Japan was declaring war on the Russians in China's territory. The pictures reveal how the Japanese army kept watch, carried ammunitions, camped, attacked the Chinese army and occupied cities such as Yingkou, Liaoyang and Haicheng.

Some 100 different bonds, stamps and stocks issued by the Japanese Government will also be shown to the public for the first time. On the securities, it marks in Chinese characters of China Accident Bonds of the Japanese Government.

A map also published by the Japanese government shows the three provinces in Northeastern China were divided into 19 provinces with Changchun chosen as overall capital.

The Chinese Holocaust Museum of the United States is temporarily located in Oakland and was first opened to the public last year. It is supported by Anna Chennault, widow of aviator and air force general Claire Lee Chennualt. General Chennualt made his name for the American Volunteer Group, also known as Flying Tigers when it fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Chinese against Japan's invasion.

The museum exhibits on Japanese war atrocities has drawn wide attention from local people. San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown commented after his visit the museum that all citizens should come to see the history.

According to Zhan, a large-scale museum commemorating the Chinese holocaust is expected to be founded in Washington DC within a few years with backing from overseas Chinese as well as American businessmen.








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