FIGHT OR WITHDRAW?

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1937, Page 8

FIGHT OR WITHDRAW?

The Chinese national front against Japan, writes F. V. Field in "Current History" for June, "though not completed, is apparently being formed." On this evidence, the July fighting should, either make or break . the national front. If the Nanking Government were-to-throw-its weight into the resistance lo Japanese encroachment in North China, then Nanking would proclaim, in the clearest, possible way, that the national front has become an effective Chinese instrument which no Chinese Government can ignore. Equally, continuation of a temporising policy on-the part of Nanking would imply.that, in the opinion of Chiang Kai-shek, head of the Nanking Government, tho national front has not yet been completed to such a point lhat Nanking must fight Japan or lose face. For years now Chiang Kai-shek lias been temporising with Japan without losing face-—or at any rale without feeling that he. has strained to breaking-point the respect of anti-Japan Chinese. In short, he has been able to serve two masters — compromise and national patriotism. Can this continue? The best answer to the question will be the advance or withdrawal of Nanking armies. One definite statement in the cabled news.- is that certain Chinese forces lhat (presumably under Nanking orders) were occupying Peking have now been withdrawn, leaving in Peking a Chinese garrison under a Chinese general who' is "favourable to the Japanese." If this step lias been taken, it marks a point at which peace negotiations might begin .anew.. The possibility of Nanking's making peace with Japan on the basis of leaving Peking under a Japan-nominated Chinese must necessarily be considered. Will the national front be strong enough to make it impossible for Nanking lo so compromise? And will Nanking, after shrewdly estimating the strength of the united front, decide not only on a cessation of temporising but on resistance amounting to war? These questions are at last in a fair way of being answered, because the fighting and the Japanese advance seem lo compel an answer. Finality in China is, however, seldom attained. For the present the world remains in doubt as to whether the Chinese national front is "completed" or only still "being formed." . ■ *