The explanation of the new attitude fg said by some to be derived from the conviction that the Stam murders did the Reds incalculable harm. They Row assert their peaceful intentions and maintain that they only want to et a fair hearing for their doctrines and political proposals. That may sound plausible in Sian. but it is ime possible to regard it us compatible With the Central Government's res possibilities in other paris of the country particularly in urban areas Uke Canton, Nanking and Shanghai, In Kansu, moreover, the spec importance ' of the Mahommedan problem renders it difficult for risks to be token in necepting Red assurances at their face value, Communist Teaders who have been in touch with the Sian people assert that they stand for liberty of action, liberty of poll-Heat thought and liberty of religion, "Their emphasis on the front against Japan receives reinforcement from this definition. They have obviously made much headway. not in convert ing the former North-Eastern troops and the provincial forces to Communism, but in giving the Impression that they are ready to Join hands in common national cause, by which the people's welfare will be safeguarded,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.