The mighty struggle going on between the North and South in Central China has led the fighting factions "in Szechuan, to halt their operations. It would "be difficult to judge the strength of In the up-river cities, © Luchow, Suifu, Kiating, and in' the cities scattered through the interior where missionaries reside, the Wanhsien incident has not aroused those bitter feelings that were feared. Un. doubtedly the operations in Central] China have over-shadowed everytifing in the political world,—and the reported successes. of the Northern expedition is eclipsing local and Provincial matters.
The capture of Ichang by the South would force Szechuan to proclaim herself either for or against the principles adopted by the Kuomingtang. This would not be an easy task should the Northern troops have even occasion al rallies to clead the final issues. If history repeats itself, the Szechuanese will first want to fight it out amongst themselves. The Anal success will depend on the party that controls the Yangtze from Hankow to Ichang, from whence men, money, and ammuni-ion can be forwarded in quantity sufficient {0 overcome all opposition.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.