The Civil War in China proceeds apace. Peking and Tientsin
are cut off from both sea and land communica- tions. Reuter says that during the past few days the Taku forts have fired indiscriminately at all vessels which have tried to pass up or down the River Peiho. The issue has been joined in earnest for the possession of Peking, and it may be hoped that it will soon be known who is to win the prize of control over the Central Government. When we write Peking, Tientsin and Taku are held by the armies of Feng and the so-called national army. Chang, the Manchurian War Lord, has joined forces with Wu Pei-fu. The inactivity of Wu had been much longer than that of any other General, and some observers had thought that he was sick of the whole business and would not reappear in command. His alliance with Chang may not be more than temporary, as they have made no formal announcement of their co-operation. In President Wilson's phrase they seem to be " associated " rather than allied. They have the advantage of sea-power and their vessels have Shelled the Taku forts.
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