Evening star., 1928-06-01
CHINESE OFFICIALS
FAM|L|ESEVACUATE
PEK|NCFORN NORTH
Eight Special Trains Depart
as Chang Prepares to Make
Stand at City.
AMERICANS HELD SAFE
AS NATIONALS ADVANCE
United States Infantry to Aid
Forces of Other Powers in De-
fense of Foreign Concessions.
BIZ the Associated press.

By the Associated Press.
PEKING. June 1.-The families of
prominent Manchurian officials are be-
ginning an exodus from Peking.
Four special trains left the Northern
capital for Mukden last night and an
other four went out today.
An official of the japanese legation
stated today that all the powers in
Peking are cooperating for the de-
fense of the concessions with view
to holding line OF defense near the
boundaries. II disorderly mob should
advance toward the concessions, the
foreign troops may go out further to
meet them and to establish a defense
line.
q. S. Infantry to Aid.
1t is understood that the 18th Ameri-
can Infantry will cooperate with the
other foreign troops in the defense of
the concessions, but that the American
Marines can be used only within the
foreign settlement.
There are approximately $4,000 for
eign troops in Peking, Japan having
5000. the United States. 3,700: Great
Britain, 1900: France. 1000. and Italy.
$50.
Although Nationalist troops are press
ing him hard. Marshal Chang Tso-Lip
today was determined TO stand his
ground In Peking and not evacuate the
city
Americans in the war zone were be-
lleved TO be safe. A telegram from
Paotingfu. strategic center, 30 miles
south of Peking, indicated that five
men and nine women, all missionaries
there were safe. The city was In the
hands Of the Shansi forces of the
Nationalist army who drove out the
Northern troops No anti-foreign incl
dents have occurred there.
Gates Closed at Night.
Chang Tso-Lin called his generals
and advisers into conference and IT was
decided that instead of evacuating the
capital they would defend the shortened
line from LiulihO. about 30 miles south
o. Peking, and Machang. about 80 miles
south OF Tienkgin.
The Northern troops were forced pack
toward Peking after their center had
been pierced at Hokienfu by Feng Yu-
HSiang1 troops. This Northern reverse.
100 miles south OF Peking, was at
tributed 10 the detection OF the 9Th
Army Corps, which made 1t necessary
Tor the other troops 10 fan back 70
straighten out the line.
Pektng now shuts herself within her
4O-foot walls every night at 7 o'clock.
Because OF growing popular unrest at
tendant on news Of successes for the
Southern revolutionary armies, the police
nave advanced the closing time BIZ two
hours. At O'Clock the enormous. IRON
studded doors Of the city's i3 gates
swing 70, and only an order from very
nigh authority can bulge them before
IN the morning. During the hours Of
DARKNESS there Is no foot or vehicle
traffic into or out OF the city except
an occasional military movement. The
railways however, which have their
own entrances through the walls, run
trains at night as usual.
Chang Addresses Diplomats.
At an impressive gathering in the
presidential palace al $50 this after
noon Marshal Chang Tso-LIn ad-
dressed the diplomatic corps He init
mated that he was remaining In Peking
pending the outcome Of decisive bat
tie which he expected TO be waged at
Ltuliho. IS miles 70 the southwest.
Chang recoInted his efforts since he
Peking. II months ago, 70 maintain
peace and protect foreigners. He gave
assurances that he was arranging such
protection and would continue TO do 10
in the immediate future, regardless OF
his personal whereabouts.
Although the dictatOr's address and
the reply by the Dutch Minister, w, j.
CaldeDijks the dean Of the corps, avoid
ed any specific reference TO plans for
Changs early departure. the opinion Of
the diplomats was that the dictator's
speech was In the nature Of vaiedic-
tory
The event Was described an somewhat
affecting. Chang's small figure was
clad In simple Chinese robes. and he
spoke IN unfalteTjng tones. and his as
Dect was anything but that Of a defeat
ed man, surrounded by the ministers
of the powers, military attaches and
ranking members 0f the legations.
The dictatorig assurances of protec-
tive arrangements In the immediate
future were received as a hopeful indi-
cation that the expected handing over
Of the capital 10 the kationaligts will
be accomplished peacefully
Safety Committee Formed.
II n known that an interim committee
| Of safety, quantity named The Chinese
Charitable Relief Association" has al
ready been formed, The chairman Is Gen
/ Wang Ehi1 Chen, who served In SINH
/ lar capacity at PekiHg's last turnover
I In 1876 The committee Is arranging
i for the orderly transfer ~ authority 10
| the incoming forces.
| Despite the evidence Of Mukdenite
withdrawal 10 Manehuria and the heavy
! exodus of Chinese affiliated with the
( MsIkGenifes in Peklng, the foreigners
here, with the exception OF the Japa-
| fsesH, are not alarmed, The opinion is
/ held In authoritative quarters that ener-
/ geYlcy measures, in which the American
legation is participating, including the
concentration 0f nationals IN the lega-
ton quarter, VIII be unnecessary.
There are no signs 0f the breaking
down 0f MiIkdenlte discipline. The
tE1,oDs ere orderly and well behaved.
/ CHANG MAY AEDTCATE