"Let historical truth reign over our times, speak to posterity and serve as our witness," President Chiang Ching-kuo charged world scholars, meeting to probe the history of the Republic during the 70th anniversary year of the revolution which engendered it.

More than 200 scholar-historians participated in the largest international academic symposium ever held here, the Conference on the History of the Republic of China. They presented some 60 papers, often sharply divergent, centering on five topics: the Revolution of 1911, the early period of the Republic, the Northward Expedition and the period of tutelage, the War of Resistance against Japan, and the national reconstruction years. In the four days (August 24-28) of the conference 12 seminars were held by each of the five conference committees.

The President offered scholars access to the historical archives of the Republic of China:

"Despite the destruction of war," he said, "the Government of the Republic of China has done its utmost to safeguard a large and voluminous treasure trove of first-hand historical information. This is the honest historical record of the Republic of China. We sincerely welcome historians from all over the world to come here and make full use of these materials."

Preparatory units for the Conference were: the Institute of Modern History of the Academia Sinica and the Academia Historica, which collect data on government; the Kuomintang Party History Commission, which preserves historical documents from the time of the revolution to the present; and the Institute of International Relations of National Chengchi University, famous for its mainland studies.

The Conference received full coverage from the domestic press, radio and TV.

"This is a very successful academic conference," observed Jungen Domes, director of the Research Unit on Chinese and East Asian Politics, University of the Saar. "The presentation of the papers, rich in criticism, reveals that Taiwan is an open society for academic research. I am deeply impressed."

Across the Taiwan Straits, the Communist regime is producing its own version of history in recesses sealed from the scrutiny of probing scholars and irreverent press. Itspur pose: to confuse the unwary, by claiming Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Revolution for themselves.

Here, Convenor Chin Hsiao-yi, noting the success of the seminars, remarked that its "abundant fruit" encourages this country to sponsor similar convocations in the future.

As one observer noted, "Free China is not afraid of open doors."

[Picture Caption]

1.2. President Chiang Ching-kuo exchanges views with scholars at a reception for participants in the Conference on the History of the Republic of China. 3. Premier Sun Yun-suan tells the conference that the ROC not only attaches great importance to history but is trying to create a history for the future of contribution to the posterity of the people of China and all man-kind. 4. Convenor Chin Hsiao-yi welcomes scholars during the opening ceremony. 5. At the closing, Secretary General of the Kuomintang Tsiang Yien-si tells participants of the struggle of the Chinese people to apply the Three Principles of the People.

1. Post-graduate students were welcomed to attend the seminars. 2. Mrs. Anna C. Chennault, vice chairman of President Reagan's Export Council, presents a paper entitled "Sino-American Relations Since World War Ⅱ." 3.6. Scholars present some 60 papers, often sharply divergent. Besides the presentations, they freely attended any of the 12 seminars. 4. David N. Rowe of Yale University comments on the paper presented by Michael Lindsay, professor emeritus for Far Eastern Studies of the American University. 5. Paul Hyer, professor at Brigham Young University, presents a paper entitled, "China's Borderlands: Japanese Activities in Tibet, 1910-1920."

President Chiang Ching-kuo exchanges views with scholars at a reception for participants in the Conference on the History of the Republic of China.

Premier Sun Yun-suan tells the conference that the ROC not only attaches great importance to history but is trying to create a history for the future of contribution to the posterity of the people of China and all man-kind.

Convenor Chin Hsiao-yi welcomes scholars during the opening ceremony.

At the closing, Secretary General of the Kuomintang Tsiang Yien-si tells participants of the struggle of the Chinese people to apply the Three Principles of the People.

Post-graduate students were welcomed to attend the seminars.

Mrs. Anna C. Chennault, vice chairman of President Reagan's Export Council, presents a paper entitled "Sino-American Relations Since World War Ⅱ.".

Scholars present some 60 papers, often sharply divergent. Besides the presentations, they freely attended any of the 12 seminars.

David N. Rowe of Yale University comments on the paper presented by Michael Lindsay, professor emeritus for Far Eastern Studies of the American University.

Scholars present some 60 papers, often sharply divergent. Besides the presentations, they freely attended any of the 12 seminars.

Paul Hyer, professor at Brigham Young University, presents a paper entitled, "China's Borderlands: Japanese Activities in Tibet, 1910-1920.".