The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-01
NO SIGNAL GAINS
ON EITHER SIDE
IT IS REPORTED
The Most Persistent Conflict
Seems to Be Conferred
Around Changsintien.
No RECORD KEPT OF
LOSSES IN BATTLE
Commanders Of Allied Troops at
Tientsin Ready to Seize
Railroad if Necessary.
tpN The AssoeIatsd Prsssl

EEtkAA&NZt &ARAAA @AetA SA~NA 40 N~-N
declared in Picking today
The armies Of General Chang Tso-
Lin and General WI Poi Flu fought
continuously throughout Sunday. The
fighting centered around changsin-
item, twelve miles distant. A govern
ment comnunique says Chang Tso-
Lin was victorious in the fighting at
Machang.
The American legation has request
ed washington to send another war;
ship to Tien-Tsin.
President Hau shih Chang, in con-
sequence Of the hostilities, today Is
sued three proclamations. calling at
tention to the serious consequences to
China which might result from the
1eopardizing Of foreign interests.
The first proclamation said the Chi
nese people were terrified, that mer-
chants were suffering losses and the
industry OF the nation was democrat
ized.
THE second proclamation declared
that as Picking was the capital Of the
nation peace and order must prevail.
Emphasis was laid in the third
proclamation OF the necessity to pro-
tect the lives and property of foreign
ers and for compliance with treaties
with the powers. II was added that
the Chinese railroad administration
has sent q protest to the government
asserting that the railroads of the
country face bankruptcy in conse-
ouence OF the suspension of traffic and
that this fact involves foreign obliga-
lions.
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 Picking wall, where
WI Pei Fu is concentrating for a
drive in an attempt to turn Chang
Tso-Lin's western front toward Tien-
Tsin.
Chang Tso-Lin's forces occupy the
village OF Changsintein. Some OF the
wounded in the fighting have been
brought to hospitals in Picking. The
dead were left on the battlefield. Ri
val details as to the casualties are not
obtainable because the Chinese are
keeping no record OF them.
The military situation Sunday as
gathered from legation attaches here
is as follows: Chang Tso-Lin and Wu
Pei Fu each has $4,000 men under fire
or in position. WI Pei Flu is bringing
up refnforcements from the Yang Tao
provinces, Chang Tso-Lin is sending
forces from Mulxden which sooEsswin
increase the total electives to more
than 100000 on each side.
Chang Tso-IAn controls the railroad
running from Mukden through Tien-
tsin TO Picking. but IS holding reserves
10 protect his rear. fearing an attempt
by the Chinese navy TO destroy the
railroad north or the great wall. His
line extends south to Machang.
WI Pei Flu appears to be master OF
the Picking Hankow railroad to Chang
sintien. Midway between the rail-
roads flows the Hun river. Chang Tso-
Lin has thrown troops and artillery
aekeAss to the western bank OF the river
with the purpose Of driving wa Pei
Fu southwark and surrounding WI
Pei Fu's headquarters at Paotingfu.
WI Pei Fl is pushing his front east
ward. apparently with the intention of
forcing Chang Tso-Lin to retreat over
the EAer. which is filled with marshes
and Eascksand. Altogether the view is
that the fighting thus far is OF a pre-
llminary character, and that greater
conflicts will come when the full
strength Of the opposing armies is at
tanned.
The diplomatic body in Picking met
today at the residence OF the Portu-
guese minister to discuss precaution-
airy measures. 1t was decided at the
meeting to await replies TO the notes
the diplomatic corps handed the Chi
nese foreign office last week which
warned the government against fight
ing in Picking