The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-05-01


sion of Peking continues with advan-
tage apparently going to forces of
General WI Pei Flu, driving toward
capital from the south. The tide of
the battle is rolling Eastward toward
southern walls of Peking.
Peking, April 30 (By the Associat-
ed Press) Martial law was declared
in Peking today. The armies of
General Chang Tsao-lin and General
Wu Pei Flu fought continuously
throughout Sunday. The fighting
centered aroung Changsintein, IL
miles distant. A government COM
munique says Chang Tsao-lin was
victorious in the fighting at Machang.
The American legation has request
ed Washington to send another war
ship TO Tientsin.
President Hsu Shih Ching, in con-
sequence of the hostilities, today is
sued three proclamations, calling at
tention to the serious consequence to
China which might result from the
jeopardizing of foreign interests.
| The first proclamation said the
Chinese people were terrified, that
merchants were suffering losses and
the industry of the nation was de-
moralized
The second proclamation declared
that as Peking was the capital of
the nation, peace and order must pre-
vail
Emphasis was laid in the third
proclamation of the necessity to pro-
tect the lives and property of for
| eigners and for compliance with
treaties with the powers. 1t was
added that the Chinese railroad ad-
ministration has sent protest to the
government, asserting that the rail
roads of he country face bankruptcy
in consequence of the suspension of
traffic and that this fact involves for
eign obligation.
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,
south'sofSt Peking wall. where WI
Pei Flu is preparing for a drive In an :
attempt to turn Chang Tsao-lin's
western front toward Tientsin.
Chang Tsao-lm's forces occupy the
village of Changsntien. Some of tn,
wounded in the fighting have been
brought 10 hosnitals in Peking The
dead were left on the battlefield. Re-
liable details as to the casualties are
not obtainable, because the Chinese
keep no record of them.
! The military situation Sunday as
gathered from legation attaches here
is as follows: Chang Tsao-lin and WI
Pei Flu each has $4,000 men under
! fire or in position. Wu Pei Flu is
bringing up reinforcements from the
Yang-tse provinces. Chang Tsaoln
is sending forces from Mukden which
soon will increase the total electives
to more than 100000 on each side.
| Chang TsaO-in controls the rail-
road running from Mukden through
Tientsin to Peking, but is holding
reserves to protect his rear, iea.i ing
an attempt by the Chinese navy to
destroy 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
! Tsao-lin has thrown troops and artil-
lery across to the western bank of the
river, with the purpose of driving
WI Pei Flu southwark and surround
! ing Wu Pei Fus headquarters at Pao-
! tingu.
Wu Peo Flu is pushing his front
I eastward, apparently with the inten-
tion of forcing Chang Tsao-lin TO re-
treat over the river which is filled
with marshes and quicksand. AL
together the view is that the fighting
thus far is of a preliminary char
acter and that greater conflicts will
come when the full strength of the
opposing armies is attained.
The diplomatic body in Peking met
today Mt the residence of the Portu-
guese minister to discuss precau-
tionary measures. 1t was decided at
the meeting to await replies to the
notes the diplomatic corps handed the
Chinese foreign Office last week which
warned the government against fight
ing in Peking.
The commanders of the allied
troops at Tientsin report they are
ready to seize the Peking Mentsin
railroad if traffic is interrupted.
The American legation has sug-
gcsted to hte Washington govern
ment that an additional gunboat be
scrt to Tientsin. The French cruis-
er Croanne has arrived at Tientsin.
The residents of Peking feel safe
notwi hstanding the booming of can
non heard from the direction of
Chang sintien. The gates of the city