CHINA: If Both Are Weak…

In Manchuria the Communists pressed their military advantage. Last week, only a month and a half after their fall offensive ended, they were hammering the approaches to Mukden again, despite four-foot snow and cold that dipped to 30° below zero. The Reds did not have to storm Mukden, it probably would be enough to keep the garrison cold and isolated for the big push next spring.

Mukden faced immediate tactical decisions. Nationalist generals gathered for a defense conference with sick Manchuria Commander Chen Cheng (stomach ulcers). To discourage looting by the hungry and desperate among Mukden’s half million inhabitants, authorities installed a nightly twelve-hour curfew.

Some long-range decisions had to be made, too. To hold on to North China, would the government soon have to abandon Manchuria entirely? In Nanking last week a government spokesman described the dilemma. Said he: “Two factors are involved—the government military position below the Great Wall and U.S. aid. If both are strong or positive, the government will fight not only to hold on but to reclaim all Manchuria. If either is weak or negative, the government will still fight to the uttermost. But if both are weak and negative, then full retreat from Manchuria may well be necessary.”