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Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1929, Page 4

China seems to have an absolutely inexhaustible capacity for developing civil wars. No sofoner does one conflict “die down and drone and cease” than another starts up to take its place. When the Nationalists last year gained m unexpectedly easy victory over the vorthern armies, and Manchuria acknowledged the authority of Nanking, ‘the unity of China” was proclaimed loudly to the world. But the Nationalists have not been left long in peace o enjoy their new responsibilities. For the past twelve months, remarks an exchange, the survivors of the Comnnin,st Party Hankow have been doing their best to embarrass Chiang Kaishek and to defy the authority of Nan-

.mg. Outside Hankow widespread mblic elk-content lias been aroused by tlie autocratic methods of Chiang Kaisnek and bis colleagues. The Hankow faction took advantage oT their unpopularity and decided to risk again the chances of war. Hut Chaing Kaishek is a capable soldier, and the Communists had no hope of success tpai list the larger and bettor equipped bu-ce.s dispatched from Nanking. After •i brief resistance the Hankow armies have collapsed, many thousands of professed Communists have deserted to the other side, and the Nationalists have triumphantly occupied the Communist headquarters. There was naturally a panic at Hankow, but the Nationalist troops were kept well in band, and little harm was done. Now Cliiang Kai--lick and his friends have a renewed lease of politoal life. But the “Christian’’ General Feng Yu-bsiang is still watching vigilantly in the background, and no doubt be will play Ins part in a fresh- civil war when the psychological moment comes.