THREE DAYS TO RESIGN

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 13, 17 January 1922, Page 7

THREE DAYS TO RESIGN

PEKIN CABINET CHALLENGED

CIVIL. WAR EXPECTED.

(VMTIP MBS! ASSOCIATION.—-COPYMBHT.) (AUBTKALIAN ■ NITF ZIALAMS OAILI AIIOCIATIOH.} PEKIN, 16th January. Governor Wu Pei-fu, Instructor-Jien-eral in Hunan and Hupoh, has eeht an ultimatum to the Pekin Government, giving the Cabinet of Liang Shih-yi three days in which to resign. Wu Pei-fu is moving troops north irom Hupeh. The Cabinet has., replied, refusing to resign under any circumstances. (SPECIAL TO AUSIRALIAN-N.Z. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WASHINGTON, 15th January. Mr. Hanihara to-day foreshadowed the receipt of instructions from Tokio which would: result in a settlement of the Shantung question satisfactorily to China. On the other hand, Chinese circles are much concerned at the receipt of news that Wu Pei-fu has demanded the resignation of the Liang Shih-yi Cabinet, otherwise,' according to his ultimatum, he will commence war in seven days. Ab is already marching north. Civil war will mean chaos, as it is expected that all three of the greater Tuchuns-.wiH be embroiled. Some of the Chinese advisers take the gloomiest view of the situation, and think developments may mean an immediate postponement of further consideVation of all Chinese questions at this Conference. If war be imminent, they might logically take the attitude that it would be better to wait till affairs in China are settled. Should Wu Pei-fu secure the resignation.,-of the present Cabinet it is not known what his successors may want, or even whether they would confirm the delegation in their f position.