June 8, Disregarding the peradventures of Japanese news agency reports let the plain tale of statements made by, Canton leaders suffice to expound the situation in the South and particularly the relations between sst_ Political Council]
The official Kuangtung news agency has declared that the Kuangtung and Kuangsi military forces are "ready to move at any moment." Dr. Lo Wen-kan who is, advising the Council on foreign affaire—a_ subject in which he has. had considerable experience as a former Foreign Minister at Nanking—declares that the Council has} advocated "national resistance against Japan" but does not intend to make war. marks Dr. Lo Wen-defence and must not be confused with war." General Chen Chi-tang endorses the views of the circular telegram recently issued by the South-West Political Council, has renamed his forces the "First Group Army of the Anti-Jupanese National Salvation Force" and abides "by the will of the people who now ask for armed resistance against Japan." General Chen. confirms the issue of a proclamation "urging war against Japan" by the Kuangtung and Kuangsi generals. General Feng Vu-hsiang, speaking for the Central Government, declares that reports of impending movements of troops against the South are "ridiculously mischfevous"" and believes that rela~ tions between Canton and Nanking are becoming "more and more' cordial." The spokesman for the South-West Political Council indicates that the measures taken by Canton merely convey request that Nanking should "lead the nation in resistance against Japan" and states that "any order for actual mobilization, or the launching of an expedition against the Japanese in North China must, come from the Central Government." It will be seen that both parties repudiate the idea of civil war, Beyond that it is by no means easy to assess the exact significance of the trend of events.
General Chiang Kai-shek, as head of the Central Government, has maintained a discreet silence. He Is probably of the opinion that his continued presence in Nanking affords the best contradiction of the sinister designs attributed to him.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.