ABSTRACT
The battle for central China nears a climax in the Hsuchow-Pengpu area, hysterical rumors and speculation pour out of the national capital. The possibility of continuing military action against the Communists from a new Nationalist capital will depend in part upon the success with which public support can be mobilized and a spirit of resistance revived. The general morale of people south of the Yangtze River will become a vital element in the political situation in China, if Nanking falls. Political demoralization in these areas is almost universal, and morale is incredibly low. This low morale stems from numerous factors: the difficulty of ordinary living, a longing for peace and stability, and a growing mistrust of the Central Government, as well as the ominous reports from fighting fronts. The literate, politically conscious minority in Nationalist China tries to obtain accurate information on current events, but can seldom find it in newspapers or elsewhere.
