South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-01
FEAR ACTION BY.
FOREIGN POWERS.
In CHINESE War.
French and British Gunboats
Arrive on Scene Expect
Another L. 5. Ship.
FIGHTING IS INTENSE
President Issues PrOclama.
ti0ns a. Factions Battle
Near Pckin.

Ey Associated Press.
PEKING, April 3d. Martial law
vas declared in Picking Sunday
Che armies Of Gen. Chang Tso Lin
and Gen. Wa Pei Fu fought con-
tinuousIy throughout Sunday The
fighting conferred around Changsin-
tien. j. miles distant A government
communique says Chang Tso Lin was
victorious in the fighting at Ma
chang
The American legation has re-
nuested Washington TO send another
war ship 20 Tien Tsin.
Pres't Hsu shin Chang. in conse-
Guence OF the hostilities Sunday is
sued three proclamations calling at
tcuuon 10 the serious consequences
10 China which might result from
the jeops rdizing 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-
uloraliZed Therefore, IL was de-
Tuanded that Chang Tso Lin and WI
Pei Fu Immediately withdraw their
armies.
The second proclamation declared
that as Picking was capital Of the
nation peace and order must pre-
vail. The gendarmerie under the
chief Of the metropolitan area must
take adequate measures.
Must Protect Lives.
Emphasis was laid on the third
proclamation of the necessity 10
protect the lives and property Of
foreigners and for compliance with
treaties with the powers. It was
added that the Chinese railroad ad-
lninistration had sent a protest 10
ahe government asserting that the
railroads Of the government face
BANKRUPTCY in Consequence Of the /
suspension of traffic. and that the
fact involves foreign obligations.
The fighting Sunday was sporadic /
throughout the war area. There
were no signal gains by either side.
The most persistent conflict appear
I'D to be centcred around Chang Sin
1ien. southwest of the Picking wall.
where Wu Pei Fu is concentrating
for a drive i'm an attempt TO turn
Chang Tsao Lin's western front to-
ward Tiensin.
Chang Tso Lin's forces occupy the
village of Chang Sintien. where 100
wounded have been taken into the
houses of natives. The dead were
left on the battlefield. Details OF
the casualties are not obtainabIe be
cause the Chinese keep no record OF
them.
Military Situation.
The military situation Sunday as
gathered from legation attaches here
is as follows.
ChaDE TsO Lin and Wa Pei F'u
each have so 900 men Under fire or
in position WI Pei Fu is bringing
up reinforcements from the Yang
Use provinces Chang Iso Lin is
sending forces from Nukden which
soon will increase the total effec-
tives 90 more than. 100 600 on each
eide.
Chang Tso Lin controls the rail-
road running from Mukden through
Tientsin 10 Picking but Is holding
reserves to protect his rear. fearing
an attempt by the Chinese navy 10
destroy the railroad north OF the
great wall HIS line extends south
90 MaChung.
Nu Pei F'u appears 70 be master
or the Picking Hankow railroad -
ChanEsinuen Midway between the
railroads flows the Hun river.
Chang TsO Lin has thrown troops
and artillery across to the western
bank Of the river with the purpose
az driviug WI Pei F'u southwark and
surrounding WI Pei Fu's headquar-
tiers AZ Paotiugfu
Preliminary Fighting.
WI Pei Fu Is pushing his front
eastward. apparently with the inten-
ton of forcing Chang Tso Lin TO re-
treat over the river which ia filed
with marshes and quicksands Al
together the view is that the lighting
thus far Isl Of a preliminary charac-
ter and that greater conflicts viii
come when the fun strength OF the
opposing armies IS attained
The diplomatic body in Peking
met toda- az the residence Of the
Portuguese minister 20 discuss pre-
cautlonary measures. II was decided
10 await replies 20 the notes the di-
rIomauc corps handed the Chinese
foreign Office last week which
warned the government against
fighting in Picking.
Residents Safe.
The residents Of Picking feel safe
Notwithstanding the booming OF
cannon heard from the direction OF
Chang Sintien. The gates Of the CITY
are heavily guarded. They are be
ing kept open but % is expected they
VIII be closed IN the event OF any in
dIcation OF a rush toward Peking
by defeated troops.
The foreign legations. foreign
business houses and institutions like
the American board OF missions. the
Rockefeller institute and the Amerl-
can mission are flying the flags OF
their respective nations conspicu-
ously The streets Of Peking sun
day were unusually animated with
picturesque confusion among the
people 81 many nations. Frequently
stretchers borne by coolies were 20