SOUTHERN CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 18034, 31 July 1922, Page 6

SOUTHERN CHINA

FIGHTING FOR CANTON,

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

CANTON, July 28. (Received July 51, at 9.15 a.m.) Heavy reinforcements for Sun Yat-Scn, coming "from the North, launched 1 a serious attack against Chcng-Ohiung-Ming at Sinchow. Another wing of Sun’s army is attempting to take Cheng by a movement against his rearguard. Chong is said to ho reluctant to sondi further forccs_ to his Sin-chow front for fear of weakening his forces around) Canton, thus leaving the city a prey to Sim’s navy.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SUN YAT-siN’S _ PATLURE. ‘ Tjie Times’a ’ Shanghai correspondents sent a message to his paper recently which is instructive of what civil war means in China and of the qualifications of Sun YatSen to he a ruler over his fellow-country-men. Sun, as tho first President of the ue-

public, comported himself with modesty, and readily retired to admit of a political settlement, which placed another occupant, Yuan Shih-Kai, in the principal office of State. Thereafter, however, he showed an extraordinary lack of practical statesmanship, and the unhappy situation in Kwang-si Province certainly indicates that Sun YatSen, whatever his private character may be, is a political danger to his country. After the military conquest of Kwang-si ho endeavored to set up a new Government in that province and to use it ns a base for further operations directed against Wu Pei-Fu. Being blocked by the Military Governor of Hunan, allegedly because of the. non-payment of money promised, he retired from Kwang-si, and is now supposed to bo endeavoring to prosecute his plans by marching northward through the adjacent province of Kiangi-si. But in retreating from Kwang-si his soldiers spread desolation on their way, ravishing the people after the manner of the Huns. The forces that he had previously driven into the mountains rose behind him, and they in their turn continued the work of devastation. And 1 wherever the two armies left any evil undone the brigands in swarms stepped in and completed the abominable' work. Well may our correspondent say the province is “ exhausted,” for wealthy and .populous cities are ruined, trade has ceased, and the unfortunate people are loaded up with worthless paper money. It is impossible to believe that there can be any reality in Sun Yat-Scn’s invasion of the North. News of successful advances continually arrive from Canton, but oilier accounts declare that Sun YatScn’s army has been routed! and 1 driven back into Kwang-tung, while he himself lias gone as a suppliant to Chen ChiungMing, whom ho recently dismissed, to beg that officer to return and let bygones be bygones. 'Meanwhile Wu Pci-Fu thinks so little of Chang Tao-Lfn that ho is leaving his final ejection from Ohih-li to junior officers. Nor does he attach any importance to Sun Yat-Sen’s futile opposition. It is satisfactory to know that Wn Pei-Fu is devoting himself to fundamental questions, and that he is in_ agreement with li YuanHung, whose return as President is desired' apparently by the whole country, in regard to essential reforms.