CIVIL WAR IN CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20426, 5 June 1928, Page 9

CIVIL WAR IN CHINA

POSITION AT PEKING. CHANG TSO-LIN WITHDRAWS. (United Press Association.; (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PEKING, June 3. Chang Tso-lin’s two-year dictatorship of North China ended early this morning, when he entrained quietly with his staff and Cabinet Ministers for Manchuria. This development, which 'was due to political rather than to military considerations, has been expected for several days, and the Dictator’s exit was dignified, not hurried. His armies, the cream of which remain undefeated, having apparently decided that with the elimination of Russian influence from the Nationalist movement there is nothing much left to about, will follow him back to Mukden in the course of the next few days, leaving the Nationalists in control of all China south of the Great Wall. It is expected that the capital will be turned over without disturbance to the new masters. A committee of leading citizens is taking temporary charge of affairs. —United Service. THE NORTHERN ARMIES. ARREARS OF WAGES. SHANGHAI. June 3. Late telegrams report that Chang Chung-chang, Sun Chuan-fang, and Chang Hsuh-liang do not intend to relinquish Peking immediately. The first named states that he hopes to arrange a combination with the Shansi opposition, in which connection Chang Chung-chang has issued orders for the Northern troops to remain at Chang Tsin-tien and Ching hai for the purpose of engaging the Southerners in a decisive battle. Probably the truth is that the remaining Northern commanders face a considerable difficulty in disbanding the armies, which are many months in arrears with their wages.—United Service. JAPANESE DIPLOMACY. NOW COMING TO FRUITION. TOKIO, June 3, As a consequence of Chang Tso-lin’s evacuation of Peking, the results for which Japanese diplomacy has worked unremittingly since the Tsi-uan incident are now being attained. No Japanese statesman pretends to believe that China’s troubles are over, but it is - hoped that a turning point for the better has been reached. Possibly the so-called Committee Government, composed of representatives of various parts of China, will be formed, necessitating shortly consideration by the Powers of the question of a resumption of the tariff conference. Then would follow a revision of the treaties, and the disbanding of the hordes of armed coolies whom the civil wars have mobilised. Meanwhile Japan is saved the necessity of acting as policeman in Manchuria. Foreigners are apparently safe in Peking which has changed hands witho'ut bloodshed, and Nationalism has attained its immediate goal.—Times Cable. A BRIDGE BLOWN UP. CHANG TSO-LIN’S ESCAPE. TOKIO, June 3. (Received June 4, at 11 p.m.) Mukden reports that a bridge was blown up while Chang Tso-lin’s train was passing over it. Four carriages were wrecked and there were many casualties. Chang Tso-lin escaped with slight injuries.—Australian Press Association.