The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-03
CBy Associated Press)

tBy Associated PreSS1
PEKING, May 8. = The Fengtien
army under General Chang Tso-Lin
has, for the moment at least, success
fully withstood the drive on Changsin-
tien, and stopped General WI Pei Fu's
movement toward Peking. The cost,
however, has been heavy, and Chang
sintien is filed with wounded, many of
whom are dying for lack Of medical
attention.
While Chang has succeeded in this
action, there has been no apparent ad-
vantage of consequences for either
side in the general fighting along the
one hundred miles from here to Tien
Tsin and both commanders are run
ming up reinforcements in preparation
for decisive action.
General Changs communications
are threatened both front and rear, for
WI has thrown 10000 troops against
his right center in an effort to cut the
Peking-Tientsin railway, while Ad-
miral Tu Shih-Kwei has notified the
Marking consular body Of his intention
to cut the railway connecting the Pek-
ing-Tien Tsin road with Mukden, Gen
eral Changs base. This railway is
within the range of Naval guns at
Chinwangtao.
Marches 10000 Troops
At the eastern end of the battle
front, General WI is marching 10000
troops toward Machang, one of the
Fengtieners' strongholds where heavy
fighting shas occurred for three days.
Meanwhile word comes through
Shanghai that Sun Vat Sen, president
of the .outhern government Is prepar-
ing to send his aid to Chang Tso-Lin.
He will strike at the psychological mo-
ment it was said, sending troops eth
er through Hankow or Marking, the
route depending upon the outcome OF
the present conflict.
Today's advices to the American
military attaches state that General
Wu's main army appears to be en-
gagged in drive towards Tien-Tsin.
Severe fighting has occurred along
the Hun river, which indicates that
units of Wu's forces are crossing the
country from Pao Ting Flu, towards
The northease.
Artillery Firing
Artillery firing is also reported to
have opened along a wide front at
MdCIdHSs SOuln VI lien L Sill OH the
Pukow railroad, where large forces OF
General Chang's troops are concen,
trated under the command of the Man.
churian leaders twenty-five year old
son.
WI Pei-Fu's drive toward Tien Tsin
is designed to isolate Chang Tsao-Lin's s
forces by cutting their line between
Tien Tsin and Taku, on the sea. Sue
cess of this move also would result in
the cutting off of General Chang's
10000 men north of Tien Tsin.
Meanwhile three Chinese cruisers
are engaged in an attempt to destroy
the Mukden railroad at Shanhai Kwan
Fighting has been resumed south OF
the Peking wall. A terrific explosion
this morning shook the windows of the
city. 1t was attributed to the destruc
tion of an arsenal by bombs dropped
from airplanes operating for General
Chang's army.
Orders Gunboat
Admiral Joseph Strauss, commander
OF the American Asiatic fleet, after q
conference with Minister Schurman
ordered the gunboat Wilmington tC
proceed Immediately from Hong Kong
to Tien Tsin. The foreign vessels now
at Tien Tsin include three japanese
torpedo boats, British submarine
tender, a French gunboat and an 1t
allan gunboat. They will guard the
Pei-Ho, the river running inland from
Taku to Tien Tsin.
Reports that he had resigned were
denied today by acting Premier Chow
Tzu-Chi. He said he intended to re
h tain his post and watch the outcome
of the civil war Meanwhile Lians
Shih-Ii, the real premier, is persistins
in his refusal to resign. He has beer
in Tien Tsin for many months on leave
of absence. On Wednesday he visited
Chank Tsao-Lin at Chungliangchens
to discuss the progress of the war
President Hsu h-Chang and tn,
members of his cabinet in Peking con
tinue to profess neutrality. Hsu Shih
Chang is watching the progress o
events with keen interest. Standin,
on the balcony of his office, located il
the palace of the former dowage
empress in the forbidden city, tn,
president frequently listens to th
SnUnd Of paunODndipC from, he