In the late 1920s under Chiang Kai - shek the republic became a national power in China .
Unity in the chain of command eluded republic 's government republic it remained a shifting coalition of warlords .
In the late 1920s under Chiang Kai - shek the republic became a national power in China , but unity in the chain of command eluded its government ; it remained a shifting coalition of warlords .