Manoeuvring in China Although the forces of North and South
have advanced to within 80 or 40 miles of each other, the " war " in China still remains diplomatic. Chiang Kai-shek's forces have now occupied strong positions in the South of Hunan and Kiangsi, while the Kwangsi and Kwantung armies are on the defensive. Indeed, it is possible that Chiang will take advantage of his position to attack and restore his authority in Kwangsi certainly the feverish mobilisation reported in Kiangsi gives the impression that an attack is feared. But the Nanking Government's troops are in a position to wait until an attempt at compromise and discussion has been made. The threat from Canton has more subtle dangers than those of war ; for its anti-Japanese agitation is an attempt to arouse into opposition three of Chiang's own supporters who disapprove of his lack of resistance to the Japanese. An opportunity for conciliation exists in the Plenary session of the Kuomintang Central Executive Committee which takes place on June 10th ; the South-Western Provinces have been invited to send their representatives, and Chiang, whose political position seems less strong than his military one, may be glad of the chance to reach a compromise if it does not involve too great concessions to Canton.
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