July 22.
The Government at Nanking at the moment must be firmly convinced of the truth of the statement that man is born unto trouble, 'The movement Canton' has not by any means spent itself, Mr, Eugene Chen is reported to be on his way to Japan to press upon the Cabinet At Tokyo the superior virtues of the coterie now in control Kuangtung. Contormably with the aspiration implied the boycott of Japanese goods in the South is repudiated. There, it must be confessed, "Canton" is displaying a good sense which, perhaps, Nanking might be glad fo see developing among its own adherents. In the North Gen-oval Shih Vu-san's intentions fare still shrouded in the mist obscurity, General Chang Mauch-liang is firmly inclined to support the recognized Government of China and is reported to have issued a statement to This may discourage General Shih Vu-shan and also the weavers of plans for the revival of the active participa tion of General Feng Vu-hsiang in affairs of the North, Certainly there seems to be no reason for giving anything more than guarded attention to. the dangers there, from the point of view of the Government. This time last year the Government were more seriously exercised with the activities of the North. Indeed almost twelve months ago to-day, to quote from a leading article in this journal of August 1980:
"General Chiang Ki ced that th Government, was. the extermi tion of the Yen and Feng rebel He added that the day is not fax for the complete extermination all bandit. elements' Since that confident announcement was the travail of Changsha happened... Another red army cover-yunning Kiangsi ts threaten] ing! Nanchang.
To-day the position The North is no longer altered. objective of any by the Government's troops. the Nort re powerful clerionts in favour of the Government. But, for all that, the North is not free from uncer-fainties. In the South there is a definite challenge to Nanking political in the main but not ess serious on that account. Between the South and the Government lies Kiangsi. The situation there is very little different from that outlined in the quotation given above. Heavy rains may be responsible for the delay in the Government's plans of extermination. On the other hand the article which was recently contributed to the Press by a well-informed Chinese observer plainly advised cautious acceptance of too optimistic versions of the situation.
The Government, in fact, have still to regard the Communist menace as their most pressing concern. They have resources which should enable them to ie successfully. So had ago, despite the preoccupations with the North. They have military accomplishment in their councils, they have troops and they have money, although it can hardly be described as money to spare, as the Finance. Minister ruefully would admit. Yet their operations Against the communists seem to be hanging fire, They hav every reason to be firm in their View that, at this juncture. the Giversion created by Canton is inimical to the best interests of China for failure to cove with the communist menace would be contents ax for, the coverndisastrous for the Canton'
ment themselves. The great fac-for in favour of General Chiang Kai-shek is, however, the position which he and his colleagues have been able to maintain for so many months as the recognized Government, This has brought to them invaluable support from the ruler of Mukden. Tt has enabled them to consolidate their resources, to become more and more accustomed to the machinery of control, even if their practice in the use of it has at times been ineflec~ tive, Time, to that extent, operates in their favour. Yet there are limits to the country's ability to endure the process of attrition which the activities of the communists apply to the general conduct of their cam-Daign, To the puzzled onlooker tt seems amazing that, oppressed by these serious responsibilities, the Government should be neg! gent of the importance of pre-Serving support wherever it has been obtained. Recognition of [the Government by the Foreign Powers must still be a most potent factor in creating pre-stage and thus entrenching their position, Of the friendliness of the Powers' attitude there can be little doubt: how otherwise could the Ministry of Foreign Affairs be able so confidently to dilate on its diplomatic achievements? In. the cireummees it is surprising that the Government should countenance cements which, whether just-ifed or not, must imperil. this happy state of affairs. Why, for example, when negotiations' between Japan and China are proceeding in regard to the recent distressing happenings in Korea, should there be the attempt to force the pace by advocating a boycott against the Japanese merchant? To put the matter on its lowest ground, this is merely giving Canton an opportunity of which Mr. Eugene Chen shows he is ready to taki whatever advantage he imagines he can discern therein. The handling of the Thorburn case indicates yet another dire of tactical considerations.
Now from Peking comes the report of the refusal in the ease of Dr. Tucker to take the action plain-prescribed by the internation-relations existing between hina and the United States of America. Here again diseusjon of the character of Dr. Tucker's alleged offence or misdoings is irrelevant. The duty of the Chinese authorities la to hand him over to his country's consular representatives. The Government have lately been Presented with a clear proof of American bona fides in such cases in the trial and conviction by court 1 of the Marines: involved in the stabbing affray in Shanghai, There is the I ground for hesitation in promptly repudiating the action of the local officials in Peking. It is to be hoped that events of the last few days, combi with a shrewd appre the fundamental friendliness of the Powers towards the Govern.
ent, in spite of many provoca ions, will enable the authorities Nanking to assert themselves and to refuse to be put in a false and, indeed, unpleasant position by the' irresponsible performances of their subordinate officials. 'There is a sincere desire to see Nanking emerge' successfully from the present troubles but it Hoes not preclude recognition of the fact that too confident a drain may be made on good nature.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.