Puzzled Ministers

Since the Chinese civil war has degenerated into national anarchy during the past twelvemonth (TIME, Feb. 1, 1926 et seq.) the various Chinese diplomats who are accredited as Ministers to the Western powers are becoming genuinely puzzled as to what "Government of China" they represent.

Last week news came of a secret meeting at Paris between five Chinese Ministers, to try and decide from what Chinese faction they would take orders. They were: Chao Hsin-chu (Minister to Rome and Representative before the League); Tcheng-loh (Minister to Paris) ; Wei Cheng-tchean (Berlin) ; Fang King-ky (Brussels) ; and Wang Kuang-ky (The Hague).

Although they all bear credentials from the North China regime at Peking, they reputedly decided that the real (strongest) "Government of China" is now the South Chinese or Nationalist regime.

The Chinese Minister to Washington, Sao-ke Alfred Sze, reputedly cabled that he was ready to join the others in switching his allegiance from Peking to the Cantonese Nationalists who have captured the Southern half of China (TIME, Oct. 25 et seq.).