The value of the book lies in its exposition of the development of the revolutionary spirit after the Kuo-7hintang had established itself as the Central Government of China. Mr. Bertram's narrative can be taken by some critics to support the Japanese view that the Chinese Government has surrendered itself to Communist views. It could, however, also be invoked to illustrate the danger of allowing an alien government to press ioo hardly on the internal polities of another, for the desperate efforts made by the Nanking Government to conform to Japanese requests for the suppression of anti-Japanese activities Wirectly gave rise to the prosecution of certain public men and thus gave the signal for the Sian revolt. The postscript to the book puts it thus:
While disunited China, whose military resources were devoted to "unifying" campaigns against the Red armies of the north. existed. Japan's task of slow economic and military permeation was compara-Tively easy, But in China, through a maze of differing parties and con-fioting interests, there was growing a steady understanding and unity on One point—resistance to Japan, It OF last December. The coup lay Seemed to the outside world a failure Durnin fact it succeeded. Chinese Would no longer fight against Chinese Cina had found a new unity; and Cuinbefore it should have time. to form "and strengthen itself. Japan formed "swiftly and shrewdly' to war on a large scale Agnes Smedley Much of what Mr. Bertram writes will have to be revised and reassessed in the light of the terrible ordeal through which China is now passing. but there can be no question that hi first-hand account of the Sian affair will have a value of its own. He has revealed some of the cultural background of the so-called Red Army Movement, and if it is not possible to take it all quite as seriously as he does, it must be admitted that he succeeds in arousing sympathies which annet be entirely discounted. During his sojourn in Sian he met uneasy slumber by the opening of my Bedroom door. A monocled' eye Next morning I was roused from
zed at me quizzically ""Wel-are you coming along? Your las chance, (or a tree trip by plane, you. know "Thanks." I said sleepily.
"But I think "Ti, stay It might bef interesting Alp Held Results ES
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