The Wilmington morning star., 1945-11-04

Liz OllSoGeAAASAAAS S%~AA - ~~~SSS ~
shek and the Chinese communist
| the war against Japan, came bub
foreign foe was defeated.
The race to occupy former Japanese
held territory has precipitated very
real combat. In this race, unavoidably,
the u. S. and Russia have had a hand
although both, repeatedly, are trying
to keep their fingers out of China's
boiling pot.
Chang Kai-shek's troops have been
flown in American planes and unload
ed from U. S. warships to take over
certain areas from the japanese. In
other areas, notably Peiping and
Tientsin, U. S. Marines took over tenn
porarily to enforce surrender Of the
japanese.
There were persistent rumors that
the Russians had turned over cap
tured japanese arms to the Chinese
communists in Manchuria.
Heavy Fighting
This week the Chinese, already fac
ing one of the worlds toughest post
war problems in famine and economic
depression, were embroiled in heavy
fighting between the Central Govern
ment and communist forces in II
provinces. The clashes centered main
ly in north China where Chang Kali
sick was rushing occupation troops,
but were also reported in central
China and the southern province of
Kwangtung.
In any modern nation, such wide
spread fighting could not be consid-
cred other than outright civil war but
in China, where communication and
llaison are extremely poor, there is
more than possibility that the
clashes will turn out to be only local
in nature.
For several years it has been Chang
kal-shek's announced position that
differences between his regime and
the communists should be settled by
political rather than military means
1or the welfare of China as a whole.
IN 1886, it was the communists who
kidnapped Chang and won him over
TO hating civil strife in order to pre-
sent united front against the invad-
Ing Japanese.
After Japan's defeat, Chang Kai-
shek held out the olive branch to
communists. With the good offices of
Ihe U. 5. Ambassador Patrick Hurley,
Ut managed to get communist leader
MAO Ize-tung to visit Chungking and
Mo weeks ago signed an agreement
WIN nm on national unity.
Early this week, an official COM
aunlst spokesman denied the present
situation could be considered civil
war until Gen. Chang Kai-shek pro-
.la'ms 1t SO and calls the communists
rebels"
Serious Situation
Nevertheless in neutral quarters
NieFe was no inclination to minimize
"le seriousness of the situation.
ln oome of Chiang's generals are
n n.! to favor smashing the COM
, a.a once and for all on the
H. s,ouno that nothing can be gained by
W. cle long drawn-out discussions in
cc.ullgklng. They attributed to the
tb s4eIallSslmo's patience" the fact
r nIas negotiations had not already ex-
S'o c INTO openly-declared civil war.
cb 5oile Of these generals believe
t tr;ang' well equipped with U. S. ma
Iliel' could wipe out the communists
in s sli about, well executed campaign
,toln three to six months.
errr aoIlef element in Chiang's gov
n " a IS said to be also committed
rus uie view that eliminating COM
c b;a IS the only way to unite
sb aliia' These, however, are hesitant
jar vu' having Chang embark on
nn se scale campaign against the COM
nsn4 ltSlS Tor fear of reaction abroad,
~ r Ihleulariy in the U. S. and Russia.
rwi;ahgklng is filed with rumors of
snt I, I'D support for the Chinese Reds
,sr,a ~ government official will let his
hIL oe used as the source of this
yeer An openly declared war, they
tive a'se' might bring Russia into ac-
tbns support of the communists and
> i in, make a victorious campaign next