Date of letter:1993-09-18
Address of author:Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
Date of event:1940-02-21
Location of event:Jiaozuo City, Henan Province
Name of author:Zhang Lixuan
Name(s) of victim(s):Zhang Lixuan’s mother
Type of atrocity:Murders (MU)
Other details:During the spring festival of 1940, my mother and I paid a new year call to my grandfather’s. On our way home in the afternoon, my mother was held up by the Japanese and killed with bayonet along with six other people. Now we offer our joint signature and evidence of many references to claim compensation. Note: envelope missing
Letter of Claim for Chinese Civilian Compensation Against Japan
To the Japanese government,
The Japanese Imperialism launched a war of full-scale aggression against China in July 7, 1937, causing a dreadful disaster to peace-loving Chinese people and serious losses to the life and property of my family. I hereby demand a compensation of 25,000 USD from the Japanese government.
On February 11, 1940, around the Chinese New Year, my mother took the then ten-year-old me to leave from our home in Beikongcun to my grandfather’s in Qinyang, He’nan. On our way back after paying a New Year’s visit to my grandfather, we and other villagers, a total of 12 people, passed Mapocun. I and some young women and girls (a total of five people) walked in the front with my mother and other people (a total of seven people, three males and four females) behind us. They were hollered back by the Japanese soldiers and killed alive with bayonets. How can we tolerate such dreadful crimes by the invading Japanese army toward our kind Chinese people? How can such bloody debts go unpaid for?
On August 15, 1945, Japan that had launched the World War II unconditionally surrendered as a defeated country. In accordance with a series of international documents such as the Yalta agreement, the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, “The defeated country that launched a war of aggression must compensate for the people of the victimized country for their losses.” Japan is the defeated country that launched the war of aggression against China, so Japan must compensate Chinese people for our losses. It is irrefutable responsibility of Japan. Even the ethnic Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians who were interned during WWII had received damage compensation from the U.S. and Canada, two winning countries. How could the Japanese government not compensate the Chinese people who suffered much more during Japan’s war of aggression against China for their losses? This is absolutely God forbidden! I earnestly urge the Japanese government to seriously consider it and stop hurting the feelings of Chinese people. Let the Japanese people and Chinese people work hand in hand to undo the historical scar and foster our deeper friendship!
Claimant: Chinese common person Zhang Lixuan
September 18, 1993
Address: Jiangguan, Songpan, Sichuan
Postal code: 623302
Mr. Tong Zeng:
How have you been?
1.I am sending you each copy of the letters of claim for civilian compensation against Japan by Zhang Lixuan and Zhang Lixian respectively and two signature lists. Zhang Lixuan’s brother-in-law has personally submitted the claim letter to the Japanese Embassy in China in Beijing.
2.I’ve sent you a cash remittance with the number of 4424/03949. The 144 yuan is for Feng Yuan. My factory is sending each retired worker such amount of money as food subsidies in accordance with provincial instructions. The other 40 yuan is for Mr. Zhang Yanyu with the Office of Military History of Chengdu. I am asking him to buy the magazine with your original article submitted to the National People’s Congress for me. I will send the magazine to other victims and claimants in Hu’nan, Hubei, He’nan, Hebei, Sichuan and northeastern provinces. They are all looking forward to hear your voice and see your suggestions with their own eyes.
3.We all hope that a strong private organization can be established to claim for civilian compensation.
4.We all hope that you pay attention to your health and not work too hard.
Yours faithfully,
Wu Peng
December 27, 1993
To the Japanese government,
The Japanese government should compensate Zhang Lixuan for his loss because his innocent mother was killed by the invading Japanese army. We hereby sign to show support.
Chinese citizens Li Jiangping, Li Biansheng, Li Qunfang, Li Qunyan, Zhang Lihua, Zhang Jinghui, An Lizhong, An Chao, Zhao Xinzhen, Zhao Qian, Zhang Fayin, Li Bingqing, Li Xiaolong, Zhang Lijia, Qu Yuancai, Zhang Li, Zhang Lei, Zhang Yun, Zhang Lan, Chen Jiafeng, Zhang Tianliu, Cheng Shitou, Cheng Xiaoqing, Cheng Xiaoshe, Cheng Xianni, Xiao Xian, Zhang Licheng, Bian Tianli, Bian Tong, Liang Chengshi, Liang Fengshan, Liang Fengming, Liang Fengshu, Liang Fengqi, Liang Fengsheng, Liang Fengru, He Guohua, Xu Yuanzhen, Xu Guoyu, Yu Changzhi, Xu Yuanqin, Zhang Yunwen, Zhang Yungui, Ru Shifang, Hua Hua, Chang Qing, Er Wa, Zhang Yunhu, Dong Jihong, Dong Jijun, Dong Jiqun, Zhang Lizhi, Wang Youde, Wang Shi, Guo Ruyi, Man Hong, Wang Cheng, Zhang Chunhua, Zhang Tianzhen, Zhang Lizhi, Wang Xiren, Qin Weiba, Wu Zi’an, He Bingshun, Zhang Xiaomiao, Song Shujun, Zhang Fuzhi, Song Futian and Xiao Baojia.
A total of 71 people signed.
December 15, 1993
There are signatures from a total of 25 people, including Li Biansheng, Li Qunfang, Li Qunzhi, Li Qunyan, Er Ni, Dong Jihong, Dong Jijun, Dong Jiqun, Cheng Shitou, Cheng Xiaoqing, Cheng Xiaoshe, Bian Tianli, Wang Youde, Qu Yuancai, Zhang Lifu, Zhang Lijia, Zhang Li, Zhang Lei, Zhang Yun, Zhang Lan, Liang Chengxuan, Zhang Lizhi, Zhang Chunhua, Man Hong, Xian Ni and Bian Tong
Please forward to Mr. Tong.
