Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-20

was Every unsafe to conclude that
the Nationalist thrust toward Shang
hal has been decisively repulsed" has
already been justified. The National
lists have vigorously resumed their
drive and have captured Hangchow,
and apparently leading elements are
over the Chekiang border into Kiangsu
Province. It would appear that their
success is attributable to demoraliza-
ton of SUMS forces by propaganda
more than to superior valor or mill
tary skill. 1t is, moreover, plausibly
enough reported that SUN has been be-
trayed by Chang Tsung Chang. Tu-
chun Of Shangtung. who, SO the story
goes, obligated, in return for generous
subsidies received, to send reinforce
ments in aid Of Sun, has not done so,
proposing las has been limited right
along) with the extfnguishment OF
SUMS star to be Lord Of Shanghai.
where the "pickings" are so good. At
any rate, the dispatches indicate that
Suns forces are very badly de-
moralized and that there Is a very
strong probability that Shanghai Will
soon be in possession OF the Nation
alists.
Then, what of the international and
French settlement? It Is not surpris.
ing that the 81 foreign ships or war
in the Whangpoo american. British,
Japanese, French and 1talian) should
be standing by with all hands very
much on the alert. The FIVE Ameri-
can vessels-the Pittsburgh, Asheville,
Sacramento. Edsall and Mccormick
have / 100 Marines aboard. and 1900
more Marines from San Diegol are
expected to arrive on the oath. There
are a. 900 British troops ashore.
The developments out OF the co1npli-
cation in the relations between WI
Pei Flu and Chang Tso Lin are not
made clear by the dispa tches.
It will be recalled that wa Eel Flu
demanded that Chang Tso Lin's forces
advance no farther south than Chang
TIE lin northern Honan. north OF the
yellow River), pending an understand
ing between him and Chang Tso Lin.
But the dispatches indicate that troops
of Chang Tso Lin have advanced to
the neighborhood of Chen Chau Qn
Honan. south Of the Yellow RIVER.
which was (perhaps still is) WI Pei
Fu's headquarters. WI Pei Fu's in
tentions, or perhaps. rather. his in
clinations, remain a fascinating mys-
terry. It Is plausibly asserted that part
Of his forces are well affected to the
Nationalist cause, part to the Chang
Tso Lin alliance, and 1t Is rumored
that some Of the latter have actually
Joined Chang Tso Lin's forces. One
hears that Chang Tsung Chang
CTuchun Of Shantung and q member
Of the Chang TsO Lin alliance) is max.
ing a heavy concentration at Anking
ION the Yangtse, in Anhwei Province).
intending to make a drive against
Kiukiang, held by the Nationalists.
Apparently the resumed negotiations
at Hankow between Eugene Chen,
foreign minister of the Chinese Ma
tionalist government, and Mr.. O'Mal-
ley, British charge d'affaires, con-
tinue.
Two battalions Of British troops
from Hongkong Qast weeks dispatches
incorrectly reported that regiments
had been sent landed at Shanghai on
Monday. and on Tuesday two bat
talions Of Punjabi troops from Calcutta
were landed. These troops do not per.
tain to the Shanghai defense force"
proper. which is still many leagues
away from China en- route from Brit