The remainder of the opposing field is a shifting, imponderable thing led by ambitious Generals attempting to "come back'? into cld positions in the province or to take advantage of the disorder t" climb into new power and wealth. Their troops are said to numerous, however, and their. allegiance is, therefore, a stake worth bargaining: for—a pastime* in which both sides are now activ engaged.
An "upset ing factor in Gene Yang's plans is the polyglot character of his own following. A! "though he, himself, is Szechuanese, his troops are chiefly from Mupeh and other northern provinees. Thus far his invasion with this mixed forces has been singularly efficient and his morale apparently faultless. © Whether he can hold his men together under the trying conditions which he now faces, however, is a question which is steadily assuming more imporiauce in the contest, His most vulnerable position is, obviously, his rear line. His only connexion with his reserves and commissary bases is_ this slender thread of river territory, mere than 500 miles in length. At no point does his influence appear to extend inland from the river any great distance. Now that he is even removing his guard troops from: cities such as Wanhsien, his communications are, indeed, dangerously exposed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.