Rebels Defiant

"Your ultimatum to the Fukien rebels has expired," correspondents reminded the Nanking Government's Foreign Office spokesman last week. "Why don't Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's troops advance and fight?"

"We ourselves," sighed the Government spokesman, "are surprised that there has been no fighting."

Nanking troop trains continued to rush soldiers down to the Fukien front, but Generalissimo Chiang did not follow them. He developed a fresh interest in his anti-Communist campaign in Kiangsi. Meanwhile the Fukien rebels continued to demand that both Generalissimo Chiang and Nanking Premier Wang Ching-wei resign. Wang and Chiang reacted in a way which showed that Fukien and its famed 19th Route Army are gaining prestige. Said the Premier: "It is impossible for the Government to dispense with Generalissimo Chiang's services at the present juncture of the anti-Communist campaign, but if the people are dissatisfied with my services I will willingly resign and make way for someone better qualified."

Said the Generalissimo: "I will not resign, regardless of what pressure may be brought upon me, until I have successfully concluded my anti-Communist drive. The only way for the Fukien rebels to avoid extermination is by repenting for their insubordination and surrendering unconditionally."

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