RELEASED BY REBELS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 306, 28 December 1936, Page 7

RELEASED BY REBELS

GENERAL CHIANG KAI-SHEK SHANGHAI. Dec. 25.General Chiang Kai-shek, who was detained in Sianfu by mutineers when he went there to check the revolt, has been released and has arrived at Loyang. CHINESE CELEBRATE HSUEH-LIANG PENITENT Received Dec. 27, 10.5 p.m. NANKING, Dec. 27. Two hundred thousand cheered General Chiang Kia-shelfr on alighting from an aeroplane at the Aerodrome. He said that his release was largely due to his wife's tact and courage. He issued a 2000-word address to General Chang Hsueh-liang and his colleague, I Yang-Hucheng, declaring that they had been prejudiced against him by reactionaries who had impugned his sincerity and loyalty to the Republic adding that obviously they now realised their mistake and were ready to correct it "as Chinese gentlemen should.” Chiang Kai-shek invited his excaptors to submit to punishment and promised to intercede with the Government on their behalf. One phrase in the address to Hsueh-liang namely, “You no longer are attempting to force me to promise to give orders,” .is interpreted as an indication that Chiang Kai-shek was released without agreeing to Hsueh-liang’s demands. Hsueh-liang has has sent a letter to Chiang Kai-shek: "I will penitently follow you to Nanking to await a fitting punishment. I will accept even death if it is beneficial to my country. Do not let sentiment and friendship deter you from dealing with me as I deserve.” The Chinese everywhere are enthusiastically celebrating Chiang Kaishek’s release. It is believed that the incident has greatly increased the strength of the Nanking Government. JAPANESE FEARS. TERMS OF COMPROMISE. Received Dec. 27, 9.20 p.m. TOKIO, Dec. 27. Japan fears that the settlement is due to a compromise, probably partly anti-Japanese.. CHANG AT NANKING. READY FOR PUNISHMENT. Received Dec. 27, 7.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 26. The Shanghai correspondent of the Times says that Chang Hsueh-liang, arriving at Nanking, declared he was ready to accept punishment however severe. He wrote a letter to Chiang Kai-shek abjectly describing himself as “a surly, unpolished rustic, an impudent lawbreaker who has committed a great crime.” Chiang, in a statement, said that everything must await the decisions of the Nanking Government, but he recommended leniency for Chang. “Through poor leadership I, as com-mander-in-chief, must hold myself responsible for the incident, which makes my heart ache,” he added.