The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-08
MONGOLS WAGING
STUBBORN FIGHT
AGAINST CHINESE
No End Is in Sight for the
Warfare in Inner
Mongolia
BATTLE FOR RIGHT
TO LIVE IN PEACE
Mongolians Supplied With Guns by
Russia and Occasional Russian
Soldier Is With Them-Japan
Also Interested

PelSiug, February 7.-On end is in sight
for the warfare between the Chinese and
the Mongols. According to a former mis-
sionary who is acting as advisor to the
Chinese government on Mongolian af-
fairs, the Mongols must be either utterly
crushed or assured of their liberty be-
fore bloodshed will cease. Success OF
the rebels eventually is regarded by him
as more probable than their utter defeat.
The fighting zone is in the shadow of
the great zigzag wall across the prov
inces of Shansi and Chill. Life and prop
erty have been so little respected by
either side that the region has been large
ly deserted both by Chinese settlers and
Mongolian encampments. The Mongols
have thus far been credited with the best
of the fighting. and. whatever the cost.
it is believed they are in no mood to
submit TO the dangers of Chinese oppres-
sion.
II was expected in Peking that the
warfare would cease with the signing
of the Russo-Chinese agreement and the
PRONUNCIATION of the plan of a joint con-
ference of Mongolians, Chinese and Rus
slams at Urga. The Russian legation
here gave out news that the Hutulxtu,
the religious and civil head of the new
autonomous state of outer Mongolia, had
ordered all men of arms under him to
cease fighting. But the Mongols of in
her Mongolia--that is the country ad-
joining China, this side of the Cobb desert
have suffered such barbarous treatment
at the hands of the Chinese troops sent
to keep them from rebelling, that they
have been provoked to continue the fight
News from beyond the railway to Kal-
gan is meagre. The reports vary, accord
ing to the men bringing them in. Wheth-
. : 4
those who have now obtained autonomy,
came down TO the assistance of those of
inner Mongolia before or after the strug
gle began is unknown But there seems
10 be no mistake about the fact that they
are there, with field pieces obtained from
the Russians and with an occasional
Russian in their company.
That the well drilled army of China
has fallen back before the Mongols
would indicate that the latter have had
the benefit of some foreign training.
There are, however, other reasons for
the Chinese losses. 1t has been recog-
nized for a long time that the Chinese
army is a mercenary institution, largely
made up of laborers simply because they
are paid more and fed better for serv-
ing with the colors.
Tho Mongols are fighting for their
grazing lands and the right to pitch their
tents in peace in fertile country. They
do not want to be driven into the
desert.
Chinese Troops Fight Poorly
The Chinese army has had little heart
for the fight against these raiders; and
according to the reports of an Ameri-
can officer who has just returned from
a hunting expedition beyond &algan, vthe
Chinese officers have been unable to
maintain the campaign during the Win
ter. The American officer reports on
. Z, 1,.,. hot of tl,n napth
ern Mongols are now retiring beyond
the desert as result of orders from
Urga.
The Russian agreement recently signed
with China does not apply to inner Mon
goia; nevertheless in view of the situa-
ton, it is common belief that inner Mon
golia will go the way of the other with
in the course of few years. Russian
sympathy is with the Mongols; and those
who have watched the methods of Russia
in the half lawless countries on her
Asiatic borders, believe that the aggres-
sve spirit of the nation will lead indi
viduals and later the government, to
take advantage of it.
Ii is significant that the Japanese are
speaking officially of their rights and
interests in inner Mongolia, evidently
foreseeng that Russia will extend her
sphere of influence beyond the Cobb.
The Japanese evidently desire to mark
out at once a section contiguous with
their Manchurian sphere. In some cir
ces in Peking the belief is held that the
Japanese and Russians are going ahead
together with complete understanding.
In other circles the opinion prevails that
the Japanese are only taking measures
against Russia, knowing that the Chinese
Gre unable to defend themselves and their
go-called dependencies, and desiring To
mark off a share for themselves