Sun warned. "If China follows at the heels of the imperialistic and militaristic nations. Chinas ascendency to power would not only be useless. but even harmful to humanity." Today. President Roosevelt has already asked that the American people grant the Philippine Islands their immediate independence. The United States Congress is even now considering this request in accordance with theestablished procedure of American democracy. In addition. President Chiang Kaishek has pledged his country to help all other Asiatic nations gain their independence. Looking forward to the postwar period. Chiang said last July 7: "The independent nations that have been occupied by the enemy must certainly regain their independence.