RENEWED STRIFE IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 10

RENEWED STRIFE IN CHINA.

After an unusually long period without active civil Btrife, China apparently enters on a renewal of divisive turmoil. Within the Kuomintang, as the People's Party originated by Sun Yat-sen is generally known, a menacing split has occurred. Its left wing, led by Feng Yu-hsiang, is seriously challenging the Nanking Government, although the Government is as much Nationalist as the revolters. It would seem that the cleavage is more than a further example of the long-standing mutual hostility of warlords actuated by personal ambition. Two diverse elements have long existed in the Kuomintang. Broadly viewed, it is wholly opposed to Communism and might be expected to give no welcome to Russian propaganda. Its political activities find their theoretical basis in the famous will of Sun Yat-sen, which expounds three general principles : nationalism, democracy, and the right of the people to live. These three principles are so set out as to be clearly the antithesis of Bolshevism, for the first and second oppose internationalism and the dictatorship of the proletariat, and the third recognises private property and foreign participation in industrial development. However, there has appeared a decided, proSoviet orientation in the purposes and plans of some Kuomintang leaders, doubtless due to Russian influence : and Feng Yu-hsiang, who has spent some time in Moscow as the guest of the Russian Government, has openly adopted Red principles. He has risen from the status of personal leader of the Feng-chun, as his well-disciplined army was styled after his own name, according to Chinese custom, and become head of the Second Kuominchun, as his section of the Nationalist Army has been called. Apparently the death of Chang Tso-lin. whose section was tho First Kuominchun, gave Feng Yu-hsiang an opportunity to strengthen his position; and now. in his opinion, the hour has struck for an attack on the anti-Soviet Government. In many respects his forces are very thoroughly organised, judged by Chinese standards, and it is therefore to be expected that a very grave clash, with crucial results, is in prospect. This almost perpetual civil strife is China's banc. Its most tragic effect—one far greater than any incidental impoverishment of the country—is the prevention of foreign aid. sorely needed. With all the will in the world to help China out of financial and social chaos, the Powers can do little or nothing until a truly national Government is securely established.