May 16.
Evenrs in the North, or at any rate reports of alleged events, follow each other in so rapid a se quence that long before any expression of opinion has the chance to see daylight the whole basis on which it has been constructed may be hopelessly shattered. Chang Tso-lin is believed to have replied to the Mandate dismissing him by a declaration of Manchuria's independence, and we are told that in pursuance of this attitude he is digging himself in on the Kailan coalfields well ahead of the Great Wall. This statement of the situation has hardly had time to be digested before rumour attacks it, suggesting that Chang is merely bluffing, playing for time until the' political forces can be set to work which will secure his safety and the continuance of some measure of power over the Eastern Provinces. Looking at the messages as they arrive there seems just about as much to support this latter view as the opinion that Chang is really to make a fight for it, to cut off Manchuria from the rest of China for the time being, though' doubtless to emerge later With renewed strength to pursue his dreams of supreme power. While we are left with this situation to ponder over, Wu Pei-fu appears content to consolidate his Position in the north pending the time when his very capable lieutenant Feng Vu-hsiang will have wiped out the troublesome elements threatening his rear. As soon, however, as security is guaranteed there he will move in force against Chang's new posi-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.