There is, as yet, no sign in China of the
Nationalist Government at Nanking being able to carry out any reforms. The so-called branch councils still exist in the provinces. Taxation is still rapaciously collected by military force and is unaccounted for. Armies are not disbanded. Manchuria remains under the threats of Mongolian troops. General Feng Yu-hsiang left Nanking suddenly last week. There are rumours of a revolt against his authority elsewhere. We cannot suppose that he found the new capital congenial. It has been suggested that the establishment of the capital of China at Nanking was really arranged in order that Feng, whose authority at Peking there was no means of dis- puting, should not find himself the master in a ready- made capital. The naturally conservative instincts of the Chinese support the view that such a departure had behind it some such very practical motive. Feng is not likely to let his Council there cease to exist. The Nanking Government in answer to the last stiff Note from Tokyo refuses to admit that the old Treaty automatically remains valid for ten years more. Otherwise, upon the enforce- ment of new regulations at once, their Note is a soft answer. Considerations in Manchuria and elsewhere will probably decide whether it turns away Japanese wrath.
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