The Central Government's desire to transfer the Kwangs! generals to other spheres of usefulness is logical and, in other conditions, would hardly call for comment. Tt is ree-agnized, however, that Chinese traditions justify their refusal to leave the province which they have served 20 well. Yet unless those traditions are modified it is dimeult to see how there can be any assurance that the process of undermining the Central Government's authority by a species of political blackmail will be caded. General Vu Han-mo has sensed the importance of this point in declaring himself free of any territorial ambi-ions and in affirming the status of the forces under his command. as national forces. The Kwangsi generals professed at the time of their rst movement "into Hunan to be actuated by a national enthusiasm. They cannot grumble it they are taken at their word, for the Governor-[ship of Chekiang which is offered to General Pai Chung-hsi should afford ample scope for qualities of national leadership, and General Li Tsung-jon as a member of the executive of the JNational Defence Committee should be able to pull his fall weight. Objection to this argument can be sustained only on the ground that the advantage of commanding troops owing personal as distinct from national allegiance is indispensable to the authority of the generals concerned. The Central" Government cannot be fairly blamed if it is determined to break down that threat to own existence and control, The revelations of the dissipation of Canton revenues fully support the view that the new regime will conduce to better cohesion between the South and Nanking. The Central Government itself has by no means been free from blame in this respect, but the efforts which it is making now may be judiciously cited to Inculeata improved rules of conduct in the future. That. is another reason for hoping that General Pai Chung-and General Li Tsung-jen will think better of their present. objections. Reports of the actual clash belwean Kwangs! and Government troops may turn out to be premature. Even if they have to be confirmed it is greatly to be hoped that some effort will be made at the eleventh hour to avert a serious catastrophe. The Central Government has been fortunate in ite settlement with Kwangtung. It will surely be stimulated by that success to put forth all its en-orgy for arriving at a peaceful solution of the dispute with the Kiwangsi generals. In this matter, fas has already been emphasized, too rigid a reliance on logic, too insistent assertion of rights or wrongs, may fall short of the requirements of true statesmanship. The Government has received such general encouragement as it faced the first ebullitions of this Southern threat to its authority that it can afford to be magnanimous, Certain special considerations have to be borne in mind in dealing with the recalcitrant generals, not the least of them being the public im-
(Tevtiigeatag-chtdehow, an 4 4k LW) 5H FU)
Conese $16 pey/anum, $040 ren cory timipistered under the present re-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.