THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1922. THE CHINESE WAR.

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1922, Page 4

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1922. THE CHINESE WAR.

Things arc so mixed in China that it is next to impossible for an outsider | to get anything like an adequate idea ■ of what the present war means there | It is certain the foreign powers are I interested chiefly in order to forward ; their own interests. So many millions I of people, without a strong, not to say | dictatorial central Government, arc I bound to go many roads at once when I economic pressure, cither from within I or without, becomes very severe. There are those who sec in Genral Wu Pei Fu a savior and re-organiser of China. He a year ago was only the commandtr of a Tuchunatc brigade, but ho is now powerful enough to he able to refuse a super-Tuchunship. He last summer broke the strength of the Anfu party, the party that would have sold the country to the Japanese for a mess of pottage. After his successes he returned to his duties as conimandcr-in-chief of the Ohihli troops that own allegiance to the Supcr-Techun, Tsao Kun. Evon, since Japan nearly 30 years ago humiliated China, Wu Pci Fu has cherished the idea of reviving his country from stagnation. It is complained that of late years, republican license has replaced a dictatorship in China, and provincial military governors have played ducks and drakes with local revenue, and Jack has claimed to be as good as his master. Wu Pci Fu has for long been training soldiers. A few months ago Hupheh Province attacked Hunan, but Wu Pei Fu did not obey when asked to intervene, for the Tuchun of Hupeh. Wang Chanyuan, in whose support Wn ostensibly entered the pro-cinv-p, had to fly for his life. Six months before ho had been one of the Big Throe in China. That is the they have in this country. But Wang had feathered his nest with millions of dollars. Wu then dominated these provinces, but then Anfu agents and Southern agents set the Yangtze agents and the Yangtze Valley in a forment. I

Bandits have invaded the province of ' Hupeh, and Wu is now engaged in repelling them. Chen Shu-fan, the recently deposed Shensi bandit-Tuchun, who is intent on regaining power from General Feng Yu-siang, (the Christian general, who now holds the office of Military Governor) is in league with the Cantonese, in fact, he is paid by them. The famous Dr Sun Yat Sen is leading an army from the South, and he is a big and hopeful factor. The manchurian war lord, Chang Tso-lin, is viewing Wu’s rise to power with many misgivings. This satrap has the biggest army in the country —over 300,000 men—and at any time he may send detachments in Hupeh, allegedly as i supports, but without a doubt to try to wrest control from General Wu. In his present struggle the latter has not even the help of the Peking Government —the tool of Chang Tso-lin —which first tried to bribe him with an office “in gratitude for his services in repelling the Hu nan esc recalcitrants,’’ and is now working insidiously to bring about his downfall. Wu is independent of factions ami foreigners have faith in him. Japan is lending money to Sun Yat Sen. Wu Pei Fit’s ideal is a National Convention at Lushan, in Kiangsi province, a place which bears the tradition that anybody Avho goes there will s<?e himself as he really is. AVu wants the country to see itself as it really is, and then it will bo ready to sweep away the shackles 1 of Tuchundoni and its concomitant •evils. Out of this Covention it is hoped a National Convention will spring —the foundation of the new Government of China on a constitutional basis. Chang Tso Lin is the chief obstacle. There is likelihood of an alliance between Wu Pei Fu and General Chen Chiung-ming. General Chen is the com-mander-in-chief of the southern armies, and a man with ideals similar to those of General AVu. Although he is known to bo the right arm of “President” Sun, there is no doubt co-operation is feasible. It is to be hoped the upholders of an autonomous, self-respecting China will prevail.