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Now it had become clear what was the political significance of the struggle between Nanchang and Hankow over the location of the seat of Government. From Nanchang, the reaction could base itself, first upon its control of the Provincial apparatus, and from there, move to its second, and more fundamental base, contact with the imperialist forces in Shanghai and the Northern generals with whom it was negotiating. Hankow (Wuhan cities) on the other hand, is the center of the most intense revolutionary spirit and organization, and already the location from which was functioning the apparatus of the Kuomintang Government, which it was necessary for the reaction to disrupt.

The magic of military glory surrounding the name of the Commander-in-Chief of the victorious Revolutionary Armies was relied upon to sway the masses away from the leadership of the Central Kuomintang. Further, it was expected that again, as on March 20, 1926, military pressure would intimidate the Central Committee, and cause it to submit. The strategy of reaction was the production of a Chinese Napoleon.

Already I have indicated the forces that checkmated this strategy. The Central Kuomintang, through the Northern Expedition, had emerged from the narrow confines of Kwantung Province; there had been an enormous release of revolutionary forces, in the organization of eight million peasants and workers in the conquered Provinces; the masses had learned that their own revolutionary energy and initiative was the basis of the military victories; and