Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-09
CH|NA'S MYSTERY
MAN STANDS ALONE
Feng Yu-Hsiany Keeps AIoof,
Waiting for Factions to
End Strife.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, China, May e.-Among
the crowd of Chinas war lords and pol
iticians, most of whom differ from each
other just as tweedledum differs from
twecd!e6ee. Feng Yu-Hsiang, the mys-
terry man, stands picturesquely alone
with his eccentric reforms, his personal
'crankmesS" and his undetermined po-
ltical allegiance.
The fate of China's rival factions and
the relative strength of Northern and
Southern leaders might be more easily
prophesied If Feng would openly adhere
TO one or the other. But he keeps in
scrutably aloof, waiting for the truth,
or perhaps the winner, to emerge from
the confusion of contest.
He was once famous as the Chris
tan general, and among Chinese Chris
tianS the simplicity of his life and his
constant concern for the welfare of the
people are believed to be intimately re-
lated to his religion.
Carries Out Puritanism.
Beyond all doubt, in the life and work
of this unusual man. there is much sim
plicity and unSelfshness. More interest
ing still Feng'S PuritaniSm has not stop
ped with himself; all with whom he comes
in contact must share it. That has not
increased his popularity in all quarters.
On his visit to Marking. Feng called
on the ministers of the Nationalist gov
eminent. He made his calls riding not
in motor car, as is the custom, but in
a truck, sitting beside the chauffeur,
with two or three military guards be-
hind. He received visitors only from
S to in the morning, and had straw
shelter constructed inside the gateway
to his house where all could wait their
turn.
Feng is an enthusiastic follower of
DR.. Sun Yat-Sen. OF Suns three prin-
: cipleS, the one on which the general
places most emphasis is that concerned
with the livelihood of the people. He
maintains that officials are the servants
of the people and have no right to en-
rich themselves While there is poverty
in the country.
Four Months in Arrears.
In Honan, one of the provinces which
Feng controls, all official salaries, civil
and military. irrespective of rank, were
at one time leveled to $40 a month. An
appeal against this state of affairs was
answered by the governor with sum-
mons to public gathering attended by
the dissatisfied off1ceholders and troop
of soldiers. Feng himself presided at
the meeting. He addressed the soldiers,
praising their bravery, patriotism and
sacrifices.
what" he asked them. "is your
monthly wage for hardships so cheer
fully endured?'
Three dollars" they shouted in
unison.
And how many months is this in
arrears?"
-Four" volleyed the soldiers.
"Ah, that is just what has happened
to my own salary" concluded the gen.
eral. Official salaries remained I'M
changed.
Six hours of sleep in "a, four at night |
and two more in the middle of the day, |
are all that Feng allows himself and |
the members of his staff. The: rest of |
the time he spends in work.
Believes In Reform.
AS a reformer, Fengs work began |
with his own army Smoking, gambling |
and drinking are forbidden and severe
punishments are melted out. not for the |
acts, but for disobedience to orders. The
punishments sometimes appear dispro-
portionately drastic. An officer has been
put in prison for five years with a beat
ing of 400 blows for smoking one cigar
or for being caught at playing mahjong /
one night.
AS governor. Feng follows the same
policies he follows as general He out |
laws gambling, and all forms of vice. |
His persecution of opium smoking is !
unquestionably sincere. binding |
among women is forbidden. In the |
provinces now under Feng's control |
there is extreme famine The army has !
been put to work building homes for |
the destitute, constructing roads and |
forwarding reconstruction generally.
Recognizing that many of his changes |
are unpopular, Feng says You all hate |
me now, but in five years you will hold
a different opinion"