Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-09
Chinese CIVIL
War TO
CONQUER JAPS
Northern Commander
Recalls Troops In
Face of Serious
Shantung Condition

LONDON, May e.@(R-Chang
Tsoatn, the northern dictator, sent
out a telegram to all civil and mil
ltary authorities Throughout China
today, a Reuter- dispatch from Pc
king says, proclsiming a temporary
cessation Of the war between the
northerners and the southerners,
because Of the critical situation
which has arisen between Japan and
China in S~hantung province.
Chang's telegram declared that
civil war had been in progress in
China for several years, while com
munisists had been attempting to
ruin the country, He always appre-
hended that the war might impair
China's friendly relations, and I'M
fortunate incidents now had happen
ed. Accordingly he issued orders 10
MS troops TO cease hostilities in or
der to a v the country.
SHANGHAI, May 9.-P1-with a
virtual state Of war existing between
Japan and Nationalist China, nearly
all Americans who have been in the
blood-bathed city OF Tsinan were be-
iieved TO be on their way to safety
today.
Seventeen Americans. nine men.
six women and lwo children were on
a train headed for Tsingtao from
Tsinan. Four British, one Italian
and one French were also aboard the
train. Japanese and Germans, how
ever, remained in the wal zone.
The Japanese offered to evaeuate
all consuls because Of "fear that a
state of war might be forced upon
them at any time. The American,
British and German consuls, how
ever, decided to remain at Tsinan.
The japanese consulate at Shang-
hal announced that the Nationalist
had refused 10 comply with a Japan
csc ultimatum. In all save a form
al declaration Of war japan there
fore was at actual hostilities with
National China.
Japs Demand Withdrawal
The Japanese demands included,
first, withdrawal of Nationalist
troops to a distance OF seven miles
on each side Of the railway between
Tsingtao and Tsinan: second. pun
ishment of commanders of troops re-
sponsible for recent murders" of
japanese at Tsinan; third, disarma-
ment of Southern troops who might
have been guilty of excuses at
Tsinan. and fourth, cessation Of dem
onstrations against Japanese as we'll
ms of all hostile preparations.
These were presented at 4 p. m.
Monday with a twelve hour ulti-
matum. Five minutes before the ul-
timatum expired an unidentified
Chinese. who was without credentials
and claimed to represent the Chin
ese chairman Of the political and
military affairs committee of Tsinan,
appeared at the Japanese lines but
General Fukada, japanese command
er, refused to receive him. This in
dividual stated he brought verbal
word that General Chang Kai-Shek
Nationalist commander-in-chief, had
rejected all terms.
Japanese outposts were immediate
ly doubled. The japanese stated that
the Chinese opened fire promtly at
the hour the ultimatum expired.
Japs Sending Troops
The Chinese used heavy artillery
and the Japanese replied with small
field pieces.
The Japanese claimed that General
0AA0Ik AAai-0HCh4 WIN NuWiA bltN
had been negotiating until q Few
hours before the ultimatum expired,
left Tsinan without notice. lie was
believed TO be in Suchowfu, Kiangsu
province, and enroute there to have
conferred at Taianfu with General
Feng Yu-Hsiang. who has joined with
him in the drive in Tsinan.
The Japanese emperor today sane
at.--1 Al. ~A.If.- f A. A-.~ IL
vision Of from $4,000 to $4,000 men
to Tsingtao on the advice Of the
cabinet and general staff. This will
bring the total Japanese forces in
Shangtung TO about $4,000 men. Jap
anese official figures show that
there are now 5000 troops in Tsin-
an: 5000, including marines, AZ
Tsingtao and 1000 along the line
Of the Tsingtao-Tsinan railway.
Warships Enroute
Seven Japanese destrcyers were
enroIte today from the fleet base
at Sasebo 10 Canton, Annoy and Foo
chow. Four others were expected 20
leave for South China shortly as a
precautionary measure.
Tsingtao from Tsinan were reluct-
ant to voice m opinion as 70 how
the fighting started or who started
IL. They agreed, however, that there
was q conspicuous absence Of anti
foreign feeling in the attitude Of the
S~outherners.
Probably IL will never be known
who started the trouble" one for
eigner said in summing up the stu
alton. "The Japanese were carrying
a chip on their shoulder and the
Chinese knocked IL off"