Middletown transcript., 1922-05-06
ARMIES BATTLE
A! CAPITAL GATES
Martial Law Proclaimed and
U. S. Warship Called For
C0MBATANTS ARE WARNED
Diplomats confer-American lnstitu-
tions Flying Flag Conspicuous
ly; Capital Residents
Feel Safe.

Peking.-Martial law was declared
in Peking Sunday.
The armies of General Chang Tso-
Lin and General WI Pei-Fu fought
continuously throughout Sunday. The
fighting centered around Changsintieu,
IL miles distant. A Government COM
munique says Chang Tso-Lin was vic
torious in the fighting at Machang.
The American Legation has request
ed Washington to send another war
ship to Tientsin.
President Hsu Shib Chang, in con.
sequence of the hostilities, issued
three proclamations, calling attention
to the serious consequences to China
which might result from the jeopardiz-
ing Of foreign interests.
The first proclamation said the
Chinese people were terrified, that
merchants were suffering losses and
that the industry of the nation was
demoralized Therefore, it was de-
manded that Chang Tso-Lin and WI
Pei-Fu Immediately withdraw their
armies.
The second proclamation declared
nation, peace and order must pre-
vail. The gendarmerie, under the di-
rection of the metropolitan area, must
take adequate measures.
Emphasis was laid in the third
proclamation on the necessity to pro.
70 ha nd nf Cir
ers and for compliance with treaties
with the Powers. 1t was added that
the Chinese railroad administration
had sent protest to the Government
asserting that the railroads of the
country face bankruptcy in conse-
quence of suspension of traffic, and
that this fact involves foreign obliga-
tions.
The fighting Sunday was sporadic
throughout the war area. There were
no signal gains by either side. The
most persistent conflict appeared to
be centered around Changsintien,
southwest of the Peking wall, where
WI Pei Flu is concentrating for
drive in an attempt to turn Chang
Tso-Lin's western front toward Tient-
sin.
Chang Tso-Lin's forces occupy the
village OF Changsintien, where 100
wounded have been taken into the
houses of natives. Some of the wound
ed in the fighting have been brought
to hospitals in Peking. The dead were
left on the battlefield. Reliable de-
tails as to the casualties are not OBJ.
keeping no record of them.
The military situation Sunday, as
gathered from legation attaches here,
is as follows: Chang Tso-Lin and
WI Pei Flu each has $4,000 men under
fire or in position. WI Pei Flu is
bringing up reinforcements from the
Yang Use provinces. Chang Tso-Lin
is sending forces from Mukden which
will increase the total effectives to
more than 100000 on each side.
Chang Tso-Lin controls the rail-
roads running from Mukden through
Tientsin 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
Machang.
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 ar
tillery across to the western. bank of
the river with the purpose of driving
WI Pei Flu southwark and surround
ing WI Pei Fu's headquarters at
Paotingfu.
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.
Altogether, the view is that the
fighting thus far is of preliminary
character and that greater conflicts
will come when the full strength of
the opposing armies is attained.