PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES. EARLIER REPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 14

PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES.

EARLIER REPORTS.

RIVAL CHINESE FORCES. LEADERS INCLINE! TO PEACE. REDS SHOW MORE CAUTION. By Telegraph—Presß Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. PEKING, Oct. 25. The rival leaders in the Yangtse Valley war are still toying with peace. General Sun Chuan-fang lias notified General Chian Kai-shek, commander of the Reds, that he is willing to suspend hostilities provided the Reds withdraw to Hankow and evacuate his domain, consisting of the five south-eastern provinces— Anwhei, Fukien, Kiangsi, Chekiang and Kiang-su. Since the unsuccessful revolt in Chekiang Sun's prestige has been considerably enhanced. The Reds have adopted a more cautious attitude. The officials of several Labour unions in the territory just outside the Shanghai foreign settlements have fled and their offices are closed. This is a result of the proclamation of special martial law which is stricter than the ordinary Chinese martial law. The French authorities have erected barbed wire barricades in the thoroughfares which lead to the Chinese territory.

»UN TO BE DEPOSED. UNCONFIRMED STATEMENT. SHANGHAI, Oct. 20. Contrary to expectations General Sun Chaan-fang has decided on an invasion of Chekiang. In the last two days he has concentrated his available forces from other fronts south of Kiang-su until he has there an estimated strength of 8000. The movement commenced in the early hours of this morning and reports indicate that already ho has passed Sung-kiang to which place the Chekiang forces retired on Monday. Sun's movement apparently was necessitated by fear of a further uprising of Cantoneso supporters in Shanghai. It is widely reported in Shanghai this evening that the Cantonese have an army of 10,000 waiting for the signal to rise, in which event it.will be necessary to drive the Chekiang forces back from Shanghai as far as possible. An unconfirmed Chinese report states that Marshal Chang Tso-lin has appointed Marshal Chang Chun-chang to be Inspec-tor-General of the five eastern provinces. If this is true it constitutes a serious blow to Sun Chuan-fang. Marshal Chang Chun-chang is an avowed enemy of Sun, and only patched up peace with him at the dictation of Chang Tso-lin for the purpose of allowing Sun to fight against the South. While the report is unconfirmed it is significant that certain officers under Sun have been moving valuables inside the international settlement for safe keeping. This is regarded as an indication that while Sun is militarily successful the political situation gives cause for considerable uneasiness.