SUDDEN END TO WAR PREDICTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22820, 15 December 1948, Page 9

SUDDEN END TO WAR PREDICTED

(11 a.m.) NANKING, Dec. 14.

William Parrott, N.Z. Press Association-Reut4r correspondent at Nanking, reports that informed circles believe the North China campaign may end suddenly with some kind of agreement between the Communists and the Nationalist leader, General Fu Tso-yi.

The Communists would thus take over a vast amount of American-sup-plied war material. Observers point to the ease of the Communist advance on Peking and the Nationalists’ withdrawal from the Tongshan mining area.

Speculation on End o! Drama.

Parrott comments that the surge of military and political events, flooding one upon the other in these critical Chinese days, have produced a vast amount of speculation and wishful thinking but few have real clues as to how this drama will end.

Only the super-optimists or the very naive grant the Nationalists any chance of pulling through, but how the cherished goal of peace will be reached and what manner of government will next be installed and where it will stand in the parade of nations are pressing questions still begging an answer. “Wait and See” Policy?

The most urgent military question is probably North China rather than operations near Nanking, says Parrott. In Central China most observers give the encircled Nationalists little chance against the Communist war of attrition north of Nanking. It is even suggested that the Communists might have slowed down operations in this area while waiting to see what sort of Cabinet Dr. Sun Fo nominated in Nanking. A coalition Government with the Communists is possible although it would be heavily dominated by them. However, it is also believed they would welcome Liberal elements which would make their Government more acceptable to the Western Powers. The Chinese Communists, it is believed desire some form of co-operation with the West, especially if it will bring economic aid. Pressure on Nationalists

It Is thought that pressure from outside is being exerted upon the Nationalists to recognise the present predicament and consider a coalition for the sake of peace and economic recovery. Rightly or wrongly, this pressure has been read into the words of Mr. Paul Hoffman, the Economic Co-operation Administrator, who promised the continued aid to the Chinese coalition Government under certain conditions.

It is unlikely that General Chiang will change his uncompromising attitude. General Chiang will have no truck with the Communists.

Reuter’s correspondent in Shanghai says that Dr. Sun Fo gained the support of the Liberals desirous of reaching terms with the Communists, but the Kuomintang “die-hards” are uncompromising in their determination to retain key positions in the Cabinet.