The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-05-03

Lin and General WI Pei Flu, fougn'
continuously throughout Sunday
The fighting centered around Chang
sintien, twelve miles distant. A
government communique says Chang
Tso-Lin was victorious in the fight
ing at Machang.
The American legation has re-
quested Washington to send another
warship to Tientsin.
Peking, April 30.-President Hsu
Shih Chang, in consequence of the
hostilities, today issued three proc
lamations calling attention to the
serious consequences to China which
might result from the jeopardzing of
foreign interests.
The first proclamation said the
Chinese people were terrified, that
merchants were suffering losses and
the industry of the nation was
demoralized.
Therefore, 1t was demanded that
Chang Tso-Lin and WI Pei Flu i'm
mediately withdraw their armies.
Fighting is Sporadic
The second proclamation declared
that as Pekin was the capital Of the
nation peace and order must prevail.
The gendermerie under the direc-
tion of the chief metropolitan area
must take adequate measures.
Emphasis was laid in the third
proclamation on the necessity to
protect the lives and property Of
foreigners and for compliance with
treaties with the powers. 1t was
added that the Chinese railroad ad-
ministration had sent a protest to
the Government asserting that the
railroads of the country face bank
ruptcy in consequence of the sus-
pension of traffic, and that this pact
involves foreign obligation.
The fighting Sunday was sporadic
throughout the war area. There
were no signal gains by either side.
The most persistent conflict appear
ed to be centered around Changsin-
tien, southwest of the Peking wall,
where Wu Pei Flu is concentrating
for a drive in an attempt to turn
Chang Tso-Lin's western front tow
ard Tientsin.
Each Has $4,000 Men
Chang Tso-Lin's forces occupy the
village of Changsintien, where 100
wounded have been taken into the
houses of natives. Some Of the
wounded in the fighting have been
brought to hospitals in Peking. The
dead were left on the battlefield.
Reliable details as to the casualties
are not obtainable because the Chi
nese are keeping no record Of them.
The military situation Sunday as
gathered from legation attaches here
was as follows: Changtso-Lin and
WI Pei Flu each has $4,000 men un-
der fire or In position. WI Pei Flu
is bringing up reinforcements from
the Yang-Tse Provinces. Chang Tso-
Lin is sending forces from Mukden
which soon will increase the total
electives to more than 100000 on
each side.
Chang Tso-Lin controls the rail-
road running from Mukden through
Tietsin to Peking, but is holding re-
serves to protect his rear. fearing an
attempt by the Chinese navy to de-
stroy the railroad north Of the great
wall. His line extends south to Ma
chang.
WI Pei Flu appears to be master
of the Peking-Hankow railroad. to
Changsintien. Midway between the
railroads flows the Hun River.
Chang Tso-Lin has thrown troops
and artillery across to the western
bank OF the river. with the purpose
VI uiisiuB Wu ISi u ooutuWoiu oho
surrounding WI Pei-Fu's headquar-
ters at Paotingfu.
Greater Conflicts Coming :.
WI Pei Flu Is pushing his front
eastward. apparently with the inten-
tion of forcing Chang Tso-Lin to re-
treat over the river. which is filled
with marshes and Quicksand. Alto
gether the view is that the hghting
thus far is Of preliminary charac-
ter. and that greater conflicts will
come when the full strength Of the
opposing armies is attained.
The diplomatic body in Peking
met today at the residence Of the
Portuguese Minister TO discuss pre-
cautionary measures. II was decid-
ed at the meeting to await replies to
the notes the diplomatic corps hand