The New York herald., 1922-05-01
south China JOINS
north FORCES IN
BATTLE FOR PEKIN
1000 Fall in Drive of Two
Armies NOrthward From
Changsintien.
MARTIAL LAW RULES
100000 Men Will Soon Be
in Field to Overthrow
President Chang.
FOREIGNERS SO FAR SAFE
U. s. Legation Asks Another
Warship-Naval Attache
Describes Fighting

PEKIN. April 80 (Associated Press).
Martial law was declared in Pekin
to-day.
Tie armies of Gen. Chang Tso-lin.
Governor of Manchuria. who is
charged with seeking to establish a
military dictatorship. and of Gen. WI
Pei Flu, military leader of central
China. fought continuously through
out Sunday. The fighting centered
around Changsintien, twelve miles
southwest of Pekin. A Government
communique says Chang Tso-lin was
victorious in the fighting at Machang.
1t is reported that Sun Vat Sen. head
of the South China Government, has
combined with Gen. Chang. Both
Gems. Chang and WI are fighting the
present Pekin Government.
President Hsu Shit, Chang of the
Pekin Government in consequence o.
the hostilities to-day issued three
proclamations calling attention to the
serious consequences 20 China which
might result from the jeopardizing OF
foreign interests.
Demand Armies Withdraw.
The first proclamation said the CHI
nese people were terrified, that mer-
chants were suffering losses and the
industry of the nation was demoral-
lied. Therefore. it was demanded that
Chang Tso-lin and WI Pei Flu imme-
diately withdraw their armies.
The second proclamation declared
that as Pekin was the capital OF tho
nation peace and order must prevail.
The gendarmerie under the direction
of the chief OF the metropolitan area
must take adequate measures.
Emphasis was laid In the third proc
lamation 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 administration had
sent protest to the Government as
serting tie railroads of the country
face bankruptcy in consequence OF the
suspension of traffic. and that this fact
involves foreign obligations.
Commander Charles T. Hutchins,
American Naval Attache at the Legation
here. returned to-day from the battle
field. The automobile he used flew the
American flag.
Sees Armies In Battle.
Commander Hutchins reported that
firing had not ceased during the last
thirty-six hours. From n hillside over
looking the Hun River he witnessed the
operations OF both armies. with Chang
Tso-Iin's troops holding the village of
Changsintien and the WI Pei Flu forces
two miles southwark fighting desper-
ately to advance. Smoke from the can
non enveloped the hillsides, shells were
bursting in the trenches. camels were to
be seen transporting guns to various
points and refugees were observed run
ming from their homes. A vivid picture
OF the seriousness OF the contest was
obtained, according to Commander
Hutchins.
About 1000 dead or wounded were OBJ
served by Commander Hutchins. Both
sides appeared TO be shelling wide areas.
The relative positions of the contending
forces did not seem to have changed
materially since the battle began.
The opinion expressed by Commander
Hutchins Is that WI Pei Fu's object Is
to push forward and capture Pekin with
view TO controlling affairs from the
capital. Chang Tso-lin In a declaration
asserted that Wu Pei Fu was ambitious
TO become a Chinese Napoleon. lie de-
clarcd that peace would not be possible
until Wa Pei Flu was captured and held
prisoner on some island, like Napoleon.
When WI Pei Flu was captured, Chang
Tso-ln said, he was willing to resign
and assist in aboishing the Chinese sys-
tenn of military dictators.
The American Legation has requested
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