Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-21
BY DREW PEARSON.

Whether there shall be war in the Far
East, perhaps involving the rest of the
world, today rests chiefly in the hands
of three men. They are
Chang Kai-shek. President OF China
and generalissimo OF the Chinese Ma
tionalist forces Chang Hsueh-liang,
son OF the old bandit chief. Chang TSo-
lin, and governor of Manchuria and
Comrade Karakhan. vice commiSSar OF
Russian foreign affairs.
Karakhan has been Russian Ambas-
sador to China, Is power in the
Soviet councils, and it is upon his ad-
vice that Stain and the executive
committee will chiefly rely.
The position of two of these men
Chang Kai-shek and Karakhan-is
unique because they have completely
reversed themselves. Chang once
posed as the great champion OF all
things Russian. He adopted Russian
uniforms for his army. used Russian
military advisers and spread Russian
propaganda throughout the country
side. Karakhan in the same way once
was the great friend of China. Chinese
thronged his house in Peking on the
average of 800 day, and when he
returned to Moscow on leave, a Chi
nese brass band, q guard OF honor,
party of Chinese dignitaries and
mob of cheering students came TO the
railroad station to see him of.
Today the two men are aligned d.
rectly against each other. Already
they have ordered troops moved against
their respective countries.
Chang Hsueh-liang is the only con-
sistent member of the triumvirate.
Son of a father who hated the Rus
slams even more than he hated the
Japanese, young Chang has long fol-
lowed the policy of ousting the Rus
slams from his three provinces.
Chang is only 81 years old, and until
he inherited the responsibilities Of his
father, together with $l0,000,000, he
was chiefly interested in bridge. poker
a few years ago, he was the typical
son Of a millionaire, and was more to
be seen in the bar of the British
American Mukden Club than he was
with the army which he commanded.
He was prominent at every foreign
dance. once took prize as jazz dancer,
and at the age of 81 had acquired two
wives.
Since becoming governor Of the three
Eastern provinces. upon the death OF
his father, young Chang Is reported 10
have become a person of considerable
dignity and responsibility. He has given
away part of his fortune for the well
fare Of his country.
But in his attitude toward the Rus
slams. who for years have controlled
North Manchuria. Chang has always
been consistent He has accused them
Of propaganda. He has prosecuted them
on every opportunity He has raided
their consulate in Hardin. And his
seizure Of the Chinese Eastern Railroad
last week is only the climax to these
activities.
Although Chang is practically SUI
preme in Manchuria, he would not pos
sibly risk the wrath of Russia without
the backing of the Nationalist govern
ment. and 1t is known he is acting with
the fullest approval and cooperation
of President Chang Kai-shek.
Chang, aside from being the most
poWerful individual in all China, is also
a most interesting person. Symbolic OF
the young China which now controiS
the country, Chang Is only Al years oio.
He rose to fame and power through
pure and unadulterated luck. son OF
fairly wealthy Chinese family In Can
ton. Chang went through a ChlneSe
military academy and then to Japan,
where practically all Chinese militarists
are trained. He returned to become q
disciple of Sun Yat-sen in his struggle
to make China republic.
Chang was rather a wild and ire
snonsible youth and a great gambler.
He made money at 1t. He made so mucn
at fan-tarl that he abandoned 1t Tor
the stock market. and through a lucky
break Melted a million Chinese dollars.
This fortune he turned over to sun
Yat-sen, becoming thereupon most
influential member Of the Nationalist
party. l., HI.
lot with Russia, Chang went to MOS
COW to study and came back Russian
enthusiast Under Russian supervision
his troops, the Whampoa Cadets. be-
came the crack regiment of South
China and led the drive northward
which eventually united all China I'M
der the present Nationalist regime.
But as Chang and the Nationalist
felt the power Of their new ofice, and
as they won the recognition OF the
United States and Europe, they turned
out the Russian advisers who had given
them arms and money, and started a
campaign to eradicate all Russian 1nnu-
ence. One by one they raided the RUS
sian embassy In Peking lnow Peiping),
raided and closed the consulate IN
Shanghai raided the consulate In Can
ton and shot the vice consul, raided
| the consulate in Hardin, and now have
seized the Russian-built Chinese East
ern Railroad.
Meanwhile Karakhan, once leader OF
the Chinese in their struggle for uni
| ned government, had been forced to re-
I turn to Moscow. Karakhan Is an ex-
| ceedingly able and equally likeable Ar
| nnenian. Dark-skinned. and with
] pointed beard, Ksrakhan, during his
days Of supremacy In China, became the