The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-08-03
THE NATr0NALIsTs ENTER
pEKfN(1

received of the orderly taxing over
of Picking on June by Chinese Ma
tionalist troops. The following ac-
count is based on the descriptions
published in the Picking Leader, ed
tied by an American, Grover CLARKE
AT almost exactly eleven a. m. on
June 8, the flag and the color guard
at the head OF the first column of
Nationalist troops entered Picking,
marching through the Chang vi Men
(gate) on the west side of the
southern city. AT the same time,
to within a few minutes, the last OF
the Fengtien troops (the brigade
which remained to help preserve
order after the Fengtien command
ers had gomez were passing oHt
through the Choa Yang Men on the
east side OF the city.
AS the Fengtien troops left, the1
Kuomintang flags with blue
field carrying a white sun appear
ed as though on a signal in front OF
hundreds of shops throughout. the
city. The streets. were gay with
these colorful emblems, and throng-
ed with smiling crowds as the Ma
tionalist troops marched in.
These troops obviously were ex-
tremely tired small wonder, since
they had been marching and lighting
for months. They walked YEARLY,
and their faces and clothes were
coated with dust. But there was
nothing sullen or unfriendly about
Ithem-and the crowds which lined
the streets smiled and laughed and
sheered a bit ais they passed.
Thus the dream of a Nationalist
occupation of Picking which Sun
Yet-sen, founder OF the Republic
Of China) had cherished for SO long
was realized The northern drive
which started from Canton over two
7ears ago, had moved forward until
he ancient capital of the country
was occupied Shansi troops were
he ones which actually came inS but
hey were under the aegis OF the
iKuomintang party and were taking
orders from the Nationalist govern
ment.
The transfer of control of the city
from ONE authority to the other was
lstrikingly well arranged and carried
through without the slightest dis
order.
Chang Tso-lin (the Manchurian
dictator) had left for Mukden early
Sunday morning (June 8 after ar
engagements. for committee of
safety to take over the city had
been completed. Yang Yu-ting and
Chang Hsuch-liang pulled out late
Monday night (June A. The conn
mittee of safety formally assumed
control the next morning at eight:
The police had kept careful watch
throughout the city during the in
tervenfng hours.
| Meanwhile, Monday evening, the
had asked the Marking government
to issue the necessary orders to per-
4 NIT the brigade of Fengtien troops
under General Pao Yu-lin to remain
in the city, in order to help in pre-
/ serving order, pending the arrival
Of the troops which were to take
over. The diplomatic corps sent
telegram to Marking to the same
leffect.
The commanders of the National
list troops communicated with the
committee of safety reporting their
arrival The Shansi commander
asked if his troops could come in.
He was requested to wait until the
arrangements for the execution of
2ao's Fengtien forces had been
completed. He agreed. No at
lempl to f.,ce an entrance was male.
/ ~ either the Shansi or the Kuomin-
,hun troops. and reports available
subsequently Indicated that they had
behaved themselves well in the sub
lrbs of the city.
The transfer of authority from be-
ginning to end was carried through
with notable good order. Every
step was carefully planned, and was
taken in accordance with the plan.
At no time was there the slightest
sign of disturbance.