PLEA TO CHANG.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17344, 26 September 1924, Page 7

PLEA TO CHANG.

LEGATION HEADS SEND MEMORANDUM. ASK SUSPENSION OF AIR WAR THREAT. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Reuter's Telpgrams. (Received September 26, 11. 0 a.m.) PEKIN. September 25. After a meeting oi the Diplomatic Body (not including. M. Karakhan) the following memorandum was scut to Wai Chia-ou and Marshal Chang Tso-lin this afternoon by M. Ouden-j dijk :—“ The outbreak of hostilities in China makes it probable that the commanders of the various military forces will make extensive use of aircraft in the conduct of campaigns, and the heads ol the Legations at Pekin, ulthough resolved not to interfere in •any v-av in this regrettable conflict, never- j theless deem it necessary to point out to your Excellency that they view with th© gravest concern the use of this weapon against other objectives than military forces in the field, fortified places, or naval units. •* The dropping of bombs from aeroplanes on undefended towns is not only an act of wanton destruction, but a crime against the peaceful population. In the city of Pekin not only are sityated the Legations of friendly Powers, hut its wails enclose numerous palaces, temples and other historical buildings which are rightly considered monuments of great value in the history of the civilisation of mankind. Th© dropping of bombs from aeroplanes «on towns and villages can have no possible military value, but only cause untold misery and suffering to numbers of inoffensive non-combatants and cause the destruction of priceless monuments and moreover of the lives and properties of the foreign nationals who are taking no part whatsoever in the actual conflict. “ For these reasons the heads of the legations feel it their duty to make this appeal to your Excellency, and whilst giving expression to their satisfaction that your intention was made known so as to afford full protection of liveg and properties of ioreigners, they trust that no air attacks will he made endangering the lives of their nationals. Should, however, any foreign lives be lost or property destroyed, as the result of attack by your aeroplanes on the capital, or any Treaty port, they would feel obliged to hold strictly responsible the authority who ordered the attack.” IMPORTANT VICTORIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney " Sun " Cable. (Received September 26, 11.50 a.m.) PEKIN, September 25. Two important victories are announced in a communique issued by Marshal Chang Tso-lin in the capture of C'haoyang oil the north railway and the town of Kin-chow in C'hih-li, with the loss of six hundred killed, four hundred prisoners, six guns, eight machine guns, and a thousand rifles. The victorious Mnnchus are advancing towards Lig-yuan. An unofficial but trustworthy report states that Chang's forces have taken Kai-lu. the Chih-li troops suffering heavily. The total Mukden forces number 190.000. They are well equipped and well paid. Foreign critics say that tbe field organisation surpasses the staff If the latter proves equal to the task, Chang, with the initial victories to his credit, should overcome anything General Wu Pei-fu can put into the field. There are already many desertions from the Chih-li army. It is reported to be doubtful whether Chang will bo able to cope with the Pekin bribing, which is usually a feature of the factional wars in China. Chang is confident, lie says he hopes to take Pekin shortly. Me is credited with having a force of fifty aeroplanes, and many skilled, foreign pilots who ave been ordered to bomb the presidential palace.