CHINESE REVOLT COLLAPSES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20611, 28 December 1936, Page 7

CHINESE REVOLT COLLAPSES

MARSHAL CHIANG RELEASED CAPTURE DUE TO MISTAKE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES ORDERED United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 27, 6.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, December 25. The release of Marshal Chiang Kaishek means the end of the rebellion. It is officially stated that his release was unconditional. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s first action was to order the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the Government troops. General Hsueh Liang explains that the revolt was due to “a misunderstanding,” which has now been cleared up. FORECAST OF TERMS ATTEMPTED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 27, 6.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, December 26. Marshal Kai-shek, who has been released by General Chang Hsueh Liang, arrived by aeroplane at Loyang, .accompanied by Madame Chiang, Dr. Soong, Mr Donald (adviser) and General Hsueh Liang himself. No statement has been made by the authorities, but it is believed the release has been unconditional as the result of last week's ultimatum and -n oral understanding between Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and General Chang Hsueh Liang. 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. Later reports denied that General Chang Hsueh Liang had left Sian, but it is nevertheless believed to be a fact. ARRIVAL AT NANKING HUMILIATION OF OFFENDING GENERAL United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlgbt (Received December 27, 6.30 pun.) NANKING, December 23. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek arrived by air followed by General Hsueh Liang also by air two hours later. The terms on which General Chiang Kal-sb-k was released are still unknown. Mr Donald told the British United Press correspondent that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and General Chang Hsueh Liang are in complete harmony. He added that General Hsueh Liang was retaining the command of his troops. The British United Press quotes wellinformed circles as stating that the terms include the payment of a large sum of arrears in wages to General Hsueh Liang’s troops. READY TO ACCEPT PUNISHMENT OFFENDING GENERAL’S OFFER United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 27, 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 26. The Shanghai correspondent of ’’The Times” says: General Chang Hsueh Liang on arrival at Nanking declared h- 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 impudent lawbreaker, who had committed a great crime.” Marshal Chiang, in a statement, said everything must await the decisions of the Nanking Government, but he recommended leniency for General Chang, saying: "Through poor leadership I, as commander-in-chief, must hold myself responsible for the incident which makes my heart ache.”

CHEERED BY THOUSANDS REACTION TO RELEASE OF MARSHAL United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 27, 7.30 p.m.) NANKING, December 27. One hundred thousand people cheered General Chiang Kai-shek on his alighting from an aeroplane at the aerodrome. He said his release was largely due to his wife’s tact and courage. Exchange of Messages. The Marshall issued a 2000-word address to General Chang Hsueh Liang and his collegue, Yang-Hucheng, declaring that they had been prejudiced against him by the reactionaries, who impugned his sincerity and loyalty to the Republic, adding that obviously they now realise their mistake and are ready to correct it "as Chinese gentlemen should.” Marshal Chiang Kai-shek invited his captors to submit to punishment, anti promised to Intercede with the Government on their behalf. <ne pr -'-e in his address to General Hsueh Liang namely, “You are -■> longer attempting to force me to promise to give orders." is interpreted as an indication that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has been released without agreeing to General Hsueh Liang’s demands. General Hsueh Liang has sent a letter to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, stating: “I penitently followed you ’o Nanking to await fitting punishment. I will accept even death if beneficial to my country. Don’t let sentiment or friendship deter you from dealing with me as I deserve.” The Chinese everywhere enthusiastically celebrated General Chiang Kai-shek’s release. It is believed the incident has greatly

increased the strength of the Nanking Government. Japan’s Fears. Japan fears the settlement is due to a compromise which will probably be partly anti-Japanese. SON EXPRESSES APPRECIATION INFLUENCE OF GERMAN MENTOR United Preus Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received December 27, 6.30 p.m.) BERLIN, December 26. Chiang Weiko, son of Marshal Kai-Shek, received the word of the r lease of his father with tears, and entered more wholeheartedly into the Chrutmas celebrations at the home of a German nobleman, who is his host and mentor here.