The Border Region, like smaller guerrilla areas elsewhere in occupied China, is scarcely a domestic political problem because it is enfolded by the Japanese armies. Even a United Front area, such as the Border Region, would lead to far greater difficulties in political adjustment if established in Free China. The tension and balance between the Parties is such that this strain might not be borne. Behind the Japanese lines, where the central armies cannot do anything even if they wish, the Border Region finds Chungking's acquiescence to be stimulated by Chungking's impotence. What could or will happen if the Japanese leave the dividing area, and the Border Region has to settle the issue of _status quo_ v. _status quo ante bellum_ with the central government, no one knows. The Generalissimo told the present author that he did not fear the encroachments of the guerrilla groups, because he and they were all working for democracy. Following from this involuntarily protective and insulating role of the Japanese forces is the constitutional theory of the Border Region. Unlike the Frontier Area, where it is exceedingly difficult to gloss over the autonomy of Communist rule, the Border Region is definitely established as a war-time agency, controlling territory beyond the reach of the provincial governments. The provincial governments still function, in unoccupied corners of their provinces, or in exile, and the openly provisional (_lin-shih_) nature of the Border Region makes it palatable even to Kuomintang conservatives. The pattern of government is one of devolution from an Executive Committee, which was established by a meeting of officials, volunteers, mass organizations, and others at Fup'ing in January 1938. The area is divided into provincial districts which are able to function with economy of personnel. The following outline illustrates the structure of this area:[17] EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Secretariat Civil Affairs Department Financial Affairs Department Education Department Industry Department Justice Department Inspectorates of the Seven Provincial Districts _Hsien_ Governments or Joint _Hsien_ Governments or Sub-_Hsien_ Governments _Hsien_ Districts Village Committees [Footnote 17: P. C. Nyi, article cited in _The Chinese Year Book 1938-39_, p. 255. Reading between the lines will illustrate much of the Chungking attitude.]