It is announced that Peng Yu-hsiang, the Christian General, has
been invited to succeed Chiang Kai-shek as Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Nationalists. Wu Pei-fu, who has been in eclipse for many months, also seems to be taking the field again. It will be intensely interesting to watch the results of all this re-shuffling. Many missionaries who know the Christian General personally speak well of hint. He is, they say, not only one of the most efficient organizers in China, but one of the most stable and reputable characters. If he really takes command against the North he will be going back upon a decision attributed to him a few months ago. It was then said that he disapproved of fighting and would take no further part in it unless he and his army were attacked. What is chiefly to be feared is that he may develop further as a religious fighter of the familiar fanatical sort, inspired by the military history of the Old Testament. Iie might be a new ironside, sincerely believing in his cause, but holding that in extermination and ruthlessness he was acting as the servant of God and the interpreter of divine justice.
