Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-22
SHANTUNC BATTLE
RESULT IN DOUBT
Nationalist and Rebels
Clash for controI of
Prize Province.

BY the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, February 22.-The initial
battle OF the military campaign, by
which rebellious elements hope to wrest
the prize Province of Shantung from
Nationalist China began this morning.
Fifteen miles west of Chefoo, import
ant Northeastern Shantung city, loyal
Nationalist troops fought with forces
recruited from the revolving garrison at
Lungkow and other points.
Gunfire could be heard plainly in
Chefoo, and before noon wounded began
arriving in the city. The result Of the
battle was in doubt.
Meanwhile aggressive measures were
being taken to strengthen defenses Of
the city, with additional arms and
troops arriving. Ninety thousand bags
OF -four were comma Y<4eered in Chefoo
for rations for the defenders.
The battle brings to head move
n1ent begun two weeks ago when 5000
soldiers of Northern origin at the gar
rison at Lungkow revolted. The revolt
apparently spread and their forces were
augmented.
Two NotabIes Involved.
Injection of two of the most notable
figures in China complicated the situa-
ton and gave 1t much more serious
aspect than was at first apparent. One
of these was Gen. Feng Yu-Hsiang,
known as 1.-The Christian general" who
is reported massing 80, 900 troops on the
Western Shantung frontier. Reports
said Feng intended breaking with the
Nationalist government at Marking and
declaring for an independent zone in
Shantung.
The other figure was Chang Tsung-
Chang, former war lord of Shantung,
who, though defeated, has never been
captured by the Nationalist. He had
escaped to Liaotung Japanese territory,
but Is said to have left DARN, Liaotung,
wednesday, and landed later on the
Shantung coast.
One report said he landed at Teng-
chow with an imposing staff Of lieu
tenants, who announced their hope of
reaestablishing the old Northern regime,
which had its headquarters at Picking
under the late Marshal Chang Tso-Lin.
Later dispatches from Chefoo said it
was presumed the battle heralded the
arrival of Chang Tsung Chang, who is
now at the head of 5000 men, rem
nants Of his former troops.
The firing seemed to indicate he was
attacking the Nationalist defense line
In the vicinity of Fushanhsien.
U. S. Missionaries Leave.
Interruption of facilities made COM
niunicatiofl with Shantung dificult, but
from Japanese sources it was said there
was nothing alarming in the situation
4htae f0~ nT.aa traS ${@
left both Tengchow and Hwang Hsien
however.
One aspect of the rebellion, which is
the first movement Of any size to strike
at the Nationalist government since the
fan OF Peking last year, Is its possible
ahect on Carbohydrates negotiations
Tor settlement Of the Shantung q,ies-
ton.
Chinese newspapers in Shanghai say
the movement is being fostered by
Japan, whose troops guard the rails
ways and important points In the
Province. The charges are Indignantly
denied BY the Japanese newspapers.
Information received here suggested
that the situation in ShantunR was be-
coming increasingly serious. Adherents
OF Chang Tsung- Chang control several
important cities including Kiaochow,
across the bay from Tsingtao. and all
the area northward to the border of
WeihaiWei british territory except
Chefoo. There were signs too of his
influence extending far to the west.
It Is said that It Is strategically difi-
cult for government troops to attack as
Chang is protected to the west by the
estuary OF the yellow River and to the
south BY the Japanese military zone
along the Suantung Railway, which
Chinese troops are not allowed to enter.