Oct, £9.
The remarkable message published on Saturday in the "North-China Daily News" and purporting to give, from the point of view of northern observers, a summing-up of the Present situation will, no doubt, have been read with considerable interest. The deductions of that Tientsin correspondent may not be endorsed by everyone, The kaleidoscopic changes which have been proceeding in the North must baffle even the most ardent unraveller of events. Generally, however, it would seem that'that message accurately reflected the trend of informed opinion. It provided, at all events, a salutary corrective to those who are disposed too readily to accept the cessation of hostilities as the harbinger of a new era, to the creation of which it is necessary only to contribute much eloquence, many good resolutions and, perhaps, a manifesto or two. It is certain that in the minds of the more responsible members of the Government at Nanking no such delusion is encouraged, Whatever truth there may have been in the recent rumours regarding the resignation—or the threat of resignation—by Mr, T. V. Soong of the office of Finance Minister, it is fairly well-established that he has made it abundantly clear that the period of reconstruction must, in his opinion, be marked by stringent economy. The opportunity, recognized by General Chiang Kai-shek in his recent pronouncement, of gradually restoring more stable conditions in the region of the Middle Yangtze, can be satisfactorily seized only if it is accompanied by a firm determination to discourage the reopening of military adventures in the North. The task is not easy. Rehabilitation which has to endure Severe financial restrictions is shorn of that power of spectacular appeal so gratifying to the political party directing it. Unless, however, the various ministries realize that the present state of the Govern-mont's finances must govern the shaping of policy, the advantages reaped from the virtual break-up of the Northern coalition will be completely dissipated and the prophecy of the outbreak of another civil war in the course of the next twelve months will be in danger of fulfilment, In the message to which reference has already been made it was pointed out with considerable shrewdness that, in corta respects, the interests of Nanking and the new dominating authority in the North were by no means identical. The question remains whether that diverge ence is to be allowed io develop into a definite conflict of opinion or whether it can be directed by tolerance and understanding on both sides towards the general solution of common difficulties. No-one would be so sanguine or 0 little versed in the course of political events during the last three or four years as to imagine that neither at Mukden mor at Nanking is there keen perception of this difference. There have been in the -passages. be-measure of the possession by both sides of a desire to avoid dangerous complications. It would be unwise to expect this forbearance to be maintfined, on the present lines and i the face of the natural r party controversy during the next few weeks, unless steps are taken to reinforce it by an unmistakable understanding. Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang has thrown in his weight, in due form as a member of the king Government, to stabilize conditions in the North. His reluctance to give hostages to fortune south of the Great Wall has long been known; it has found clear expression, as the Tientsin message pointed out, in his removal of the seat of the Chihli Government from Peking. to Tientsin and in the strict limitation of the forces sent into that Province and Shantung. General Chiang Kai-shek who has once more vindicated hi ascendancy in the Government of China, is now called upon to deal with the burning question of the readjustment of party balance in his administration. He has also to institute effective measures to cope with the Communist menace to the authority of his Government in the Provinces south of the Yangtze.
These two men are at the moment in alliance. Their respective adherents are however inclined to talk of the future in terms of conflict entirely sub-ver sive of that alliance. It may be doubted whether this is palatable to either of them. The Young Marshal and his advisers have good reason for avoiding a policy which might jeopardize the "present reputation of Mukden and, indeed in the light of not very ancient history, would almost certainly fai The strong man of Nanking must be equally aware of the extrem me inadvisability of incurring commitments which would again involve his Government serious military operations. They both have declared that, in their minds, the good of China is the paramount consideration. Wherein that good lies is crystal clear. China requires an end of the incessant internecine strife which has impoverished her beyond belief, is draining her life-blood and, in a time of general world-depression, is im-Posing on her intolerable hardships and handicaps. There seems to be a potent call to these two leaders at this juncture. They are maintaining between them the appearance of a strong authority capable of imposing stability on China. They cannot rely certainly on the continuance of that satisfactory: state of things unless improvisations are replaced by permanent structures. They both have the means to effect that transformation. It cannot however be readily accomplished by the interchange of long-distance messages. The situation demands the intervention of the personal equation. It comprises delicate problems which can be handled only by the free and frank interchange of views, on the part of the two principals. If some arrangement could be made whereby General Chiang Kai-shek and Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang could meet in conference and discuss the significance of the ce-operation already tentatively established be-_ tween them, an important step would have been taken to eliminate the uncomfortable factors which, in the eyes of discerning observers, are explosively servation of peace. General, Chiang Kai-shek can afford to entertain this project because in the light of events, he has established for himself a prestige and an authority which would bring to the meeting a stimulating sense of reality. Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang can equally embrace such an opportunity for it would give full recognition to the measured wisdom of his restrained enforcement. of the power of Mukden in the North. With both men eager for the good of China and convinced of their own ability to minister to it, the meeting should be pregnant with possibilities of ex-tricoting China from the long vigil of conflict. It should free her leaders for real leaders' work—the guidance of the people to prosperous days.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.