In these ever surprising days it would be as foolish as it would be discourteous to underrate the possible importance of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's election and assumption of office as President. But before trying to estimate its effect on China as a whole we should like to know exactly what it counts for in Canton. There as elsewhere there appears-to be a perpetual issue between the civil and military authorities. Those who know General Chen Chiung-ming give him a high character, as a far-seeing and patriotic man. Nor would we deny Dr. Sun's claim to these adjectives. But unless the telegrams latterly have been very much at fault, the two leaders do not by any means see eye to eye and there is contention between them which of them shall be the greater." Furthermore, Dr. Sun's supporters appear to be largely drawn from the remnants of the old 1913 Parliament, of whom no one thinks much nowadays, General Chen Chiung-ming perhaps least of all. So far as can be seen at this distance General Chen represents material force in Canton, Dr. Sun theoretical; and the latter's supporters seem to have tried to give solidity to his position by urging him to accept inauguration (it has been delayed for some weeks since his election) as president and, so to speak, daring anybody to dispute his supremacy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.