New Britain herald., 1930-12-26
CHINESE STABILITY
 INCREASED IN l930
Nationalist Govt, WeatherS Its
 SeYereSt Storms

Pelplng, Dec. 26 - The National Government Of China, esta ablished al
 Ranking in 1927, encountered the
 most severe test of its existence in
 1850, but through the military abil- ity of General Chiang Kai-shek and the diplomatic skill of his associ- ates, the government managed to survive.
 The governments most powerful opponents have been, temporarily at least. subdued, and Ranking faces 1931 with better prospects than ever before.
 Economic conditions are very bad due to the civil wars and banditry and the government has a hard job of reconstruction. Its success de- bends upon whether further civil wars can be averted.
 War rumblings began early in 1880. By the middle of February a crisis had been reached On Febru- ary IS. mass-meeting of several thousand Chinese in Pciping inn plored the leaders 10 avert war, but on the same day General Yen Hsi- shan, governor Of Shansi and vice. commander of the national army, demanded General Chiang Kali shek's resignation
 This was challenge which Nan king accepted and troop movements began. General Yen declared war March r. Six days later he took over the post offices, telegraphs and railways in North China. He was joined by General Feng Yu-hsiang
 Provincial Government
 Members Of the Left Wing Of the kuomntang hastcned to pciping and on March 3l set up provi- sional national government in Pcip- ing.
 Meanwhile, fighting had broken out on two wide fronts, one in Honan against the armies of Feng Yu-hsiang and another in Shantung, against the Shansi armies. The rebels made initial successes, and the ''kiangsi clique" headed by three powerful generals in South China, joined the revolt against Ranking.
 With two-thirds Of the country against him, General Chiang Kali shck had to scatter his troops, so that an effective drive was im- possible on any front. But he fought q skilful defensive for sew aral weeks. while recruiting addi- Iional divisions. The ability of his Finance Minister, T. Y. Soong, pro- tided the necessary funds, esti- mated at $500, 0,000,0O0 silver.
 The blackest moment Of 1850 for Ranking came in July, when Com nunist armies captured Nanchang, capital of kiangsi, and Changsha, 'apital Of Human, in quick success sion. They footed and burned both 'itics and General Chiang had to livcrt troops to prevent the capture ,I Hankow by Communists, At the ame time Feng Yu-hsiang opened ! formidable offensive in Honan.
 Capture Capital
 Three weeks later, on August 16. icneral Ghiang captured Tsinanfu, lie capital of Shantung, defeating he Shansi defenders so severely hat they were eliminated as fac or This was the turning point, | nd Rankings armies were viCtori- | us. with some setbacks, from ,y yie1 # ned by rumors on Sept. 3 that Gen. raj Chang Hscuh-liang, the man. | hurian governor, had decided to | Intervene in behalf of Ranking.
 However, General Yen formally ssumed the presidency of the orthern provisional government on ept. g. Nine days later he resigned nd on Sept. 19 the Manchurian rmies invaded North China,
 The overturn in the North was eaceful. Shansi commanders await lg the arrival of M8nchurian 'oops before they withdrew. Gen. ral Yen and his associates, includ- lg the left-wing leader Wang hing-wei, removed their govern lent to Taiyuanfu, the capital of hans, and kept it going for a few eeks, but in November Yen and eng retired from public life, and tang ChingWei left China.
 The alliance of Manchuria and anking. the two most powerful roups in China, assures general aacc so long as it continues.
 Constructive projects have been most altogether abandoned dur g la30, but China's ability to re- ,yer is provcrbial. and if Man luria and Ranking can agree. the ar 1881 should be fine for China.