Communist Capital Abandoned in China To National Forces

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 5

Communist Capital Abandoned in China To National Forces

LONDON, March 20. The Chinese Government forces have taken Yenan. the stronghold till recently of the Chinese Communists. Reports as to what the National forces found in Yenan when they entered it are lacking in Nanking, but it is certain that they have occupied an almost empty town, says a New York Times correspondent in Nanking. He says that he visited Yenan early in March, when it was already half deserted. All the official personnel and establishments had been moved away, except what were needed for bare essentials of the military-political headquarters. The Communists evidently have' staged no concerted opposition to the Kuomintang forces’ drive, and, in keeping with statements of Communist leaders two weeks ago, made no determined defence of their capital. The capture of Yenan will not prove of much military advantage to the Nationalists. Indeed it may be a serious liability. Yenan is in the centre of a sparsely inhabited and relatively poor area, and the Communists have carefully denuded the countryside of food to intensify the Nationalists’ supply problems. The capture, however, is a psychological gain for the Government. The Communists’ administrative difficulties will bo increased. Their contact with the outside world, which is so necessary for their propaganda, will be hampered.