Diehards' Defeat

Under President Truman's "reamrmation" of an outdated China policy (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS), Mediator George C. Marshall has nothing left to mediate. Chiang Kaishek, who, when he was less strong, refused to trust the Communists with a veto position in his Government, is obviously not going to do so after his recent military victories over the Reds.

Instead, Chiang might try to win Marshall's support in a way more realistic than that suggested by the Truman statement. A democratic constitution democratically drafted would give the U.S. a chance to revise its policy and move closer to wholehearted cooperation with Chiang. As if he recognized that opportunity, Chiang last week appeared in dramatic opposition to ideological reactionaries in his own party in China's National Assembly.

Subcommittee Setback. Truculent Kuomintang fundamentalists seized the initiative in some of the subcommittees set up to study the draft constitution. Their most fiery leader was goat-bearded Kung Keng, 73, who discourses mystically and interminably on the relationship between chuan and neng--power and ability. Kung Keng said that these concepts were properly defined only in the specific constitutional directives of Kuomintang Founder Sun Yatsen. A tired Young China partyman disrespectfully shouted: "This is no place for orations." Kung Keng, who looks like a medieval wizard, but has a long revolutionary record, paled with anger. His supporters hurled abuse at his critics.

After military police restored order, Kung's men won on the vote--they amended Article 27 of the constitution draft, to give the future Assembly (and therefore the Kuomintang) almost absolute powers. Young China delegates and Democratic Socialists talked darkly of Kuomintang dictatorship, threatened to walk out of the Assembly. Cried the newspaper Ta Kung Pao: "The fundamental spirit of the constitution is shaking!"

Limited Victory. When the subcommittees reported to the steering committee, the diehards reached their high-water mark, angrily amended the first article to eliminate the Lincolnesque phrase "of the people, by the people, for the people," kept only Sun Yat-sen's credo of government on the basis of "Three People's Principles." Screamed the middle groups: "Since only one party is enacting the constitution, who will hold the Assembly?" Carson Chang, boss of the Democratic Socialists, wired from Shanghai instructions that his delegation must not yield to the Kuomintang diehards on Articles 1 or 27.

At that point, the Generalissimo intervened. He angrily lectured Kuomintang delegates in a party caucus, told them they must consider external as well as internal situations and respect other parties opinions. The oldsters subsided. Next day the steering committee reconsidered, restored the original Article 27, the original Article I. But the final victory had to await the full Assembly session.

Final Victory. On Saturday afternoon, the delegates gathered in the Assembly hall--unheated save by smoldering tempers. Chiang spoke briefly, in behalf of unity, assured delegates Article 5 offered full protection for minorities. But an irate Manchurian delegate was not mollified; he stomped to the speaker's stand, insultingly yelled: "Wash your ears and listen to me!" While the Gissimo stared nervously at the ceiling and catcalls drowned the Manchurian's words, Chief of Staff

Chen Cheng took command. He persuaded the hysterical delegate to sit down. From across the aisle old Kung Keng snarled: "Watch your tongue!" The Manchurian popped up again, screamed: "Democracy!" After its fashion, that's what it was.

In this ready-for-a-brawl atmosphere the final voting began, article by article. There were shouts aplenty, but no major amendments. Articles 1 and 27 were approved in their original form, and another controversial clause (moving the capital from Nanking to Peiping) was eliminated after the Gissimo vowed that the interests of both north and south China would be respected. When the session recessed, one-third of the 151 articles had been approved. Final adjournment was set tentatively for Christmas Eve. China could look forward to a great Christmas gift.

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