Climate has its effects on current events. Although world-forces must be ever on the move, they are not impervious to the conditions which govern or deflect human actions. So, in these dog-days when the heat-god is at his most oppressive, there necessarily occurs a noticeable lull in the struggle for political ascendancy in Chit Up North the possible imply tions of Japanese adventure in Jehol must be warily watched. So far news is conflicting. ports from Peking may be"pro-photic, rather than narratory. Tokyo's technique has been well-defined in the last year that the assertion that Japan has no intention of doing this or doing that is regarded acceptable disclaimer than as a confirmation of a prophecy which it sets out to falsify. If there is any substance in the appre-pensions now finding expression in the North, the anxiety of all concerned in the peace of the Far East will be redoubled, For the monient caution in giving rein to such apprehensions is advisable. The turn of events gives, however, a sinister significance to the much deteriorated position of the Government of China. Tr might easily show itself in " renewal of the acti ties of the free lances of the North, although, a further and more ' definite threat to the integrity of China south of the|Would care to assume ths thank-Great Wall, should, in theory,|!e88 banish distinion. It is impos: sible to glance at the general course of events in the country generally without being pressed by the enormously dificult task now imposed on those nominally responsible for guiding China to stability. Financially the state of the Government's affairs as parlous as it well can be. Politically the bandit-communist menace overshadows even the consequences "of Japanese incussions into Manchuria. Reports of successes gained against "red" armies in different parts of the country do not conceal the uncomfortable fact that, in thei sum, they have achieved little.
By the massing of formidable forces, the Government has been able to relieve, in some degree, the blockade on the Han River, where for months traffic has been virtually stopped by the operations of the "Soviet Government of China." The relief is apparently not sufficiently pronounesd to: justify reliance on an early consolidation of the respite won. Indeed in the Kienli area, for example, the defeat of Szechuen troops has given the "red" forces an ascendancy greater than that secured three months ago when they were already behaving as the masters of Hupeh. In the South the report of the "retreat" of the communists of South Kiangsi into Kuangtung, suggests Yet another Government reverse. 'The truth is that, unless General Chiang Kai-shek is able to produce a military miracle within the next few weeks, the Government will have to admit that the treatment of the bandit problem by force eaanot lead to anything more than' stalemate at the best. Whether the plan of tackling the problem by economic means; gradually applied as finances and other resources permit, eqn be put into operation with "a reasonable chance of Buecess, remains to be seen. The conditions in Anwhei and Honan do not encourage that view. Once again the remarkable ability of China to suffer und survive the direst misfortunes and the absence of real Government control is being
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.