Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-21
MANCHUR|AN CHIEF
TO END CIVIL WAR
Believe Changes First Move
viii Be to Demand Peace
Conference.
BY the Associated press.

SHANGHAI, september 20.--TroOpS
of Chang Hsueh-Liang, the Manchurian
dictator, poured southwark today to-
ward Tientsin and Peiping in a drive
expected to end civil warfare between
Northern Alliance rebels and China's
Nationalist Government.
Chang's motives were obscure. Rea-
sons assigned ranged from disinterested
purpose to bring peace to wsr-torn
China, to desire to carve a new terri
tory for himself extending from his rich
realm of Manchuria south to the yell
low River.
simultaneously came Nationalist
claims of sweeping victories in Honan
Province that thrust the insurgents
northward toward Shansi.
The sudden but not unexpected de-
cision of Chang Hsueh-Liang to take
a hand in the turmoil has cast upon
China's apparently endless struggles for
stable government, prosperity and peace
a strong external influence which OBJ
servers believe capable of bringing forth
striking results, If not termination of
war within comparatively short time.
Peace Conference Seen.
1t is generally believed his first de-
mand as his troops move southwark
from the Great Wall will be a peace
conference attended by President Chang
Kai-Shek of the Nationalist govern
ment, Gems. Feng Yu-Hsiang and Yen
Hsi-Shan. Northern coalition leaders,
and possibly some of the lesser mill
tarists.
The Manchurian Is credited with the
desire to terminate devastating civil
war, which has been sucking China's
life blood since May. The country
meanwhile has been drifting rapidly
toward Communism, even utter chaos,
as reds and bandits despoil the populace
and countryside provinces drained of
troops. for civil war.
Some see in the youthful Chang's ac-
ton a philanthropic desire to give
China peace. Others believe he is ac-
tuated by the growing need for at least
an outward appearance of a stable Ma
tionalist government as a means to aid
ing him to solve his own growing inter-
national problems. prominent among
which are his relations with Russia and
Japan.
Regardless of his motives. the imme-
date result is expected to be stoppage
Of domestic fighting.
welcomed by Both Sides.
The real positions of the belligerent
Northern war loros and the Nationalist
government as to Changs Intervention
are uncertain. For political reasons
both sides profess to welcome It..
Neither group wishes to admit the Man
churian acted without its approval.
While Yen Hsi-Shan asserted Chang's
march southwark renders the newly
established Peiping government the
principal governing authority in China"
Nationalist officials claimed interview
ton resulted from the pleas of our am
bassadors sent to Mukden, who urged
Chang Hsueh-Liang to become more
active in the Nationalist movement.
We desired to place the Tientsin- Peip-
ing area under his direct authority"
Truth of the matter probably is
Chang acted Independently of the con-
tending parties, wishing to end a con-
flict he considered was endangering his
Manchurian domain
Numerous observers believe the Muk-
denite is planning to take q permanent,
strong and positive hand in China's
domestic affairs by establishment of his
sphere OF influence as far south as the
yellow River. This, however, seems I'M
likely, as the Manchurian's traditional
policy has been to stand aloof from
domestic troubles in China. participat-
ing only internationally when combat
ants approached too close to borders of
Manchuria.
Forces Pour Through Wall.
Regardless of Changs motives. Man
churian forces tonight were reported
pouring within the great wall. Forty
thousand soldiers were said to have
crossed the Ivan River on the railroad
skirting the Gulf of Chilli and leading
to Tientsin and Peiping
Meanwhile hostilities along the Yellow
River between Northern rebels and
Nationalist armies ceased, except in
Western Honan Province.
Between Kaifeng and Honanfu. said
Nationalist reports President Chang
Kai-Shek personally was leading his
troops against the rebel, Gen. Feng
Yu-Hsiang, with capture of those cities
and Chengchow imminent. The North
erners were reported retreating north
westward toward mountains of Shansi
Province
Although fighting continued in that
area, Nationalist claims Of important
victories were considered exaggerated
and premature.
How soon Chang Hsueh-Liang will
attempt to end this fighting it Is i'm
possible to foretell, but If a peace con-
ference is called the Nationalist gov
eminent and Manchuria are expected to
be the principal factors. Chang, II is
thought, will for tee present control
Chihli Province, as did his father,
Chang Tso-Lin. of1cials of Chill
merely doing Zip service" to Marking
officials.
Northern Leader Inactive.
Yen Hsi-Shan, Northern coalition
leader, probably will return to Shansi
Province OF which he was known as
the model governor" He is not ex-
pected again to undertake to broaden
his provincial empire.
Feng Yu-Hsiang, who for many years
has headed various rebellions, is be-
lieved about TO withdraw his armies
to Shensi and Kansu provinces. keep
ing them there until he is able to mar
shall sufficient strength to attempt the
carving of an empire within central
China
Important shantung province, de-
spite the Nationalist recapture of its
capital. Tsinanfu, already is under the
authority Of a semi-independent mill
tarist, Gen. Han Fu-Chu, whose prime
allegiance rests with Manchuria's gov
eminent.
Han Fu-Chu, it is thought, will be
allowed to remain there making Shan
tInE a Mukder, buffer state between
Manchllrian interests and turbulent