NEW PEACE APPEALS

Chronicle (Levin), 5 January 1949, Page 5

NEW PEACE APPEALS

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*&> — Position Of Nationaiists Deteriorafes

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Received Wednesday, 10.15 a.m. NANKING, Jan. 4. As the Kuomintang peace offensive appears to be gaining momentum, reports from the war fronts indicate a further deterioration in the position of the Nationaiists at gr'ips with the advancing Communists. On the- peace front observers thought that new cease fire appeals to the Communists by public bodieS' in North China cities could be identified with the Kuomintang attem.pt to link Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's New Year peace offer with the popular desire of the war-weary masses to put an end to .the ravages of civil conflict. The Communists are not likely to break fhe silence to answer the Generalissimo's offer. Observers think that if Generalissimo's Chiang's offer fails, the GOvernment might decide as a iast resort to bring the problem before the Security Council, alleging Russian support for China's Communists and appealing for an immediate cease fire on the war front. The observers say that the Com1 munist General Chen Yi is continuing to neutralise the Hsuchow garrison, where the Communists are continuing to close in. Nationalist planes dropping food to the garrison are now being effeccively narassed by Communist anti-air-crait fire. If the Communist neuoralisation attempt succeeds, there is nothing to prevent General Chen Yi's armies linking up with General Liu Po Cheng's forces regrouping further south and launehing the awaited offensive against the Nanking-Shanghai area.