Mild foggy day. At 9 a.m., all high officials, about 500, assembled on the grounds of the National Government, and led by Pres. Chiang 【蔣中正], paid New Year respects to the spirit of Dr. Sun Yet-sen 【孫中山]. Then we went into the Assembly Hall and listened to a hortatory speech by the President. After the ceremony, we went to his residence and signed ourselves on his New Year’s callers book. For the greater part of the day, officials dropped cards on each other. I stayed at home but instructed my servant to tell all callers that I was out. Played chess with Sze Pao 【蔣居仁]; listened to the radio, was surprised that I could get London in day time. The Central Broadcasting Station gave some American dancing music, which again turned out to be most ludicrous, being noise of machines. San Pao 【蔣懷仁] played with his friends, being out all day.
Hereafter, for three years, I shall devote myself to CNRRA 【行政院善後救濟總署], eschewing all other causes or disputes.
As I write, Sze Pao is beside me and wishes me to record that mother bought him two huge fire-crackers, one of which, fired tonight, sounded like a gun.
In the afternoon, took a walk with Sze Pao and bought a bunch of winter plum blossoms, Ch$120.00 for nine sticks. Many people bought the same flowers.