CHINESE REVOLT ENDED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21976, 28 December 1936, Page 7

CHINESE REVOLT ENDED

* ■ -4 CHIANG KAI-SHEK IN NANKING REBEL LEADER AWAITING “FITTING PUNISHMENT” I GO V ERN MEN T ST RENGTH EN ED RY INCIDENT (I KITK.U Pit ESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received December 27, 10.40 p.m.) NANKING, December 27. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has been released by the ledder of the revol:, Chang Hsueh-liang, and arrived here by aeroplane, accompanied by Madame Chiang Soong Kai-shek, Mr T. V. Donald (his adviser), and by Chang Hsueh-liang himself. No statement has been made by the authorities, but it is believed that the release was unconditional. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s first act on recovering his freedom was to order the disbandment of all Government troops on the Sian front, thus averting the imminent civil war. It is reported from Berlin that Chiang Wci-ko, a son of Chiang Kai-shek, received word of the release of his father with tears, and entered more wholeheartedly into the Christmas celebrations at the home of a German nobleman, who is his host and mentor. Mr Donald told a correspondent of the British United Press that Chiang Kai-shek and Chang Hsuehliang were in complete harmony. He added that Chiang Hsueh-liang was retaining command of his troops. The British United Press quotes well-informed circles as stating that the terms include the payment of a large sum of arrears of wages to Hsueh-liang's troops. Two hundred thousand cheered Marshal Chiang Kai-shek on alighting from his aeroplane at the aerodrome. He said his release was large. ; through his wife’s tact and courage. He has issued a 2000 word address to Hsueh-liang, and his colleague, Yang-hucheng, declaring j that they had been prejudiced against him by reactionaries, who impugned his sincerity and loyalty to the republic, adding: “Obviously they now realise their mistake and are ready to correct it ‘as Chinese gentlemen should.’ ” Chiang Kai-shek has invited his captors to submit to punishment, and promised to intercede with the Government on their behalf. One phrase in the address to Hsuehliang, “You are no longer attempting to force me to promise to give orders,” is interpreted as an indication that Chiang Kai-shek was released without agreeing to Hsuehliang’s demands. Hsueh-liang has sent a letter to Chiang Kai-shek: “I penitently followed you to Nanking to await fitting punishment. I will accept even death if it would be beneficial to the country. Don’t let sentiment and friendship deter you from dealing with me as I deserve.” . Chinese everywhere enthusiastically celebrated Chiang Kai-shek’s release. It is believed that the incident has greatly increased the strength of the Nanking Government. A Tokyo message says Japan fears that the settlement was made by a compromise, probably partly antiJapanese. “SURLY, UNPOLISHED RUSTIC” HSUEH-LIANG’S CONFESSION (Received December 27, 10.50 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 26. The Shanghai correspondent of the “New York Times” says Chang Hsueh-liang, on arriving in Nanking, declared that he was ready to accept punishment, however severe He wrote a letter to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, abjectly describing himself as a “surly, unpolished rustic, and an impudent lawbreaker who had committed a great crime.’’ Chiang Kai-shek, in a statement, said everything must await the decisions of the Nanking Government, but he would recommend leniency. “Through poor leadership, I, as com-mander-in-chief, must hold myself responsible for the incident, which makes my heart ache." .