Evening star., 1933-03-17

World attention has been diverted
from the japanese invasion of Chinese
territory by striking changes among the
Chinese military commanders. The
admission Of failure on the part Of
Marshal Chang Hseuh-Liang and the
increased activity of the forces of Gen.
Chang Kai-Shek are outstanding fea-
lures Of the situation as observed by
Americans.
THE assumption by Chang Kai-Shek
of the command of the Chinese armies
against the japanese" according to the
Buffalo Evening News, has the effect
of giving the Nationalist chief an au-
thority in Northern China which he
never before has possessed in any but
a nominal sense. The official unity OF
China, which has little existence in fact,
rests on agreements between ruling forces
actually in control in different sections,
rather than an established central au-
thority. 1t will be recalled that Chang
Kai-Shek did not even contribute to
the resistance in the plucky Chinese
defense of Shanghai in January, 1882,
leaving the struggle to be borne by the
Cantonese army on the ground. His
military record, therefore, does not in
clude any actual encounter with the
Japanese, through whom he received
military training of the European type"
Pointing out that this military leader.
as a force in insurrection. received
most enthusiastic tributes for genius
in arms and craftsmanship" the Eve
ming News concludes that while he has
lost prestige, he is 'the nearest ap-
proach in sight to personif1cation of
nationalist China" and that "he is sub
jecting himself to his greatest test"
Marshal Chang tenders his resigna-
tion as commander in chief of the Chi
nese forces IN the North" says the Low
ell Evening Leader, admitting that he
is unfit to command and hoping that
more capable man will be found. In
the evidence that China has been un-
able to consolidated any effective sys-
tenn of defense. the marshaTs references
to the difficulties he encountered put
Japan will be to press on over the Great
Wall. Already she is putting strong
forces In the passes. Will the threat
cause China to organize a real resist
ance? Tie chances of that are none
too hopeful. Execution by order of the
Chinese high command of the defeated
Governor of Jehol, one suspects, was a
fate that he did not really deserve"
"China,s utter helplessness, the amaz-
ing lack of national spirit among its
military leaders and suspicion that in
trigue accounts, In part at least, for
the territorial and moral losses suf-
fered ct the hands Of the ruthless Japa-
nese," according to the Chicago Daily
News, "have engendered in many cir
cles feeling of contempt" The Daily
News feels that China "has depended
too much on Geneva, and, perhaps, on
Moscow, and the Stimson doctrine of
non-recognition." That paper also
comments "The entire situation in
China would be farcical If it were not
so pathetic. The japanese invaded and
occupied Jehol without serious resist
ance from the Northern war lord,
Marshal Chang Hsueh-Liang, who now
admits that he was unequal to his duty
and has resigned his command Chang
Kai-Shek, it seems, was too busy fight
ing Communist insurgents in another
province to come to the aid of Chang
Hseuh- -Liang. As on former occasions,
the rivalries and jealousies among the
provincial war lords Of China prevented
even a temporary union for the ade-
quate defense of Jehol. Japanese ag-
gressions. many had hoped, would
arouse the Chinese and induce the
selfish war lords to get together. No
such result has followed the annexa-
ton Of Jehol to the so-called autono-
nous state of Manchukuo, which Japan
completely dominates"
Finding that Chinese statesmen are
now blaming their generals for using