NEW REVOLT IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20218, 1 April 1929, Page 9

NEW REVOLT IN CHINA.

NORTHERN PORT CAPTURED

AUTHORITIES SEEK LEADER.

REWARD OFFERED FOR HEAD.

Australian Press Association—United Service SHANGHAI, March 29.

The Provincial Government of Shantung lias offered a reward of £IO,OOO for the capture alive of Marshal Chang Tsungfhaiig, formerly Military Governor of that province. His troops captured the northern port of Chefoo last Tuesday. ('hang extorted £25,000 from the city authorities in return for an undertaking that there should he no looting. A sum of £SOOO is offered for the ex-Governor's head.

Marshal Chang Tsungchang was prominent in I lie late civil war in China as the defender of Shanghai. 110 was the commander of the first expeditionary Manchurian Army, 1924-5, and became Tupan Military Governor of Shantung in 1925. All through he has opposed the Nationalists and commanded Northern troops'against them almost up to the time of their establishment as the ruling force In the country.

Chang is tho leader of the new revolt in Shantung, which was launched some weeks ago at Chefoo. His overthrow last year by the Nationalist forces ended his reign as war-lord and dictator of the province. Since then Chang has been in retirement and is alleged to have been under Japanese protection. Apparently the chief points behind tho present unrest, aside from the inherent desire for power, are opposition to centr.il control ot the national revenues, base] on a characteristic doubt, of individual infegrity, and the Communist and Left Wing's desire to institute ati untried programme of immediate relief for the peasants and labourers. It is considered doubtful if the fall of tins Nationalist Government would result in a change in foreign policy. Even if Shantung can be brought into complete submission to the Nanking Government. China will still face innumerable difficulties that may keep the nation in a state of strife for a long lime. Tho "Christian General," Feng Vu-hsiang, is reported to be mobilising a large force in tho western part of the country. Unrest is growing with the spread of famine and disease. In large areas of nine provinces it is reported that 20.000.000 peoplo are under-nourished or starving. Foreign-relief collections have been slow, and the central government has been unable to cope with the situation. Unless some action is taken soon, it appears that all the achievements of the recent conferences may bo wasted, and that China will again become a disorganised country harried by rival military chiefs. As China's salvation is considered to lie in the establishment of a responsible national government the United States and other countries are hoping (hat the Nationalists will hold together and win. During tho last few months China and Japan have been negotiating, with, a view to arriving at a settlement that would lead to a complete withdrawal of Japan. Already the Japanese have ordered the withdrawal of their forces from Shantung. A bitter anti-Japanese feeling in Shantung for the last year has been evident, and a boycott against Japanese coods has prevailed. Certain of the Nationalist spokesmen alleged that Japan had helped Ito foster the present revolt. This was denied bv tho Tokio Government.