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Fukien is watching the East River district
of Kwongtung; and as soon as an opportunity offers
the Fukienese will probably try to capture this
district. In this they may succeed, as the place
is garrisoned by indifferent troops formerly
commanded by Li Fuk-lam.
What has led to this unsatisfactory state
of affairs was the weakening of the armies of the
Kwongsi-ites by breaking their cohesion. Pei
Chung-hsi, by an error of judgment, first joined in
the Northern Expedition, and afterwards in the so-
called Eastern Expedition at the behest of Chiang Kai-
shek. This move on the part of Chieng had the
desired effect of separating the Kwongsi armies.
Although Li Chung-jen has an army in Hunan and Hupeh,
he is too simple a man to be able to resist
encroachments.
Li Chai-sum wasted three precious months
last year in Nanking where he had to subordinate
himself to others. He is a good administrator and
a good executive officer, but he is lacking in
political experience, and is not an intriguer.
end.
The Kwongsi-ites will undoubtedly lose in the
Why is Chiang Kai-shek working for their
downfall? It is because his own downfall in 1927
was wrought by Pei Chung-hsi, and Chiang is not a man
to forget a wrong.
Chiang Kai-shek is not altogether free from
Bolshevist influence.
As long as he is able to hold
his own within the Kuomintang Party, he can be expected
to pursue his present policy; but if his power is
shaken or his position threatened, then he may again
fly into the arms of the Russian Bolshevists.
there are many in the Party who desire, and actually
And
work