Evening star., 1936-12-17
CHANGES EM|SSARY
LNENS HOPES FOR
RELEASE Of CHANG
Autographed Letter From
Captive Dictator Is Re.
ported on Way.
ADVISER OF MARSHAL
C0NFERS IN NANKING
Rebel Leader Condemned to Pub.
lie Execution-Nation Shaken
to Bases, Council Says.
BACKGROUND

6ACh ThOUND-
Marshal Chang HSueh- -lianq, uho
last Saturday kidnapped Generals
Stnlo Chang Kdt-shek and 20 other
Chinese dignitdrieS and spirited
them aUay to his mountain strong
hold at Sidntu, joined Nationalist
government forces after expulsion
from his Mdnchuridn domain, in
herited from his father, Marshal
Chang Tso-lin, by the japanese in
Ddsion of 1881.
Chang has consistently con.
tended for sitter Marking attitude
against japanese penetration, al
though Gen. Chang and other
Marking officials haze shotDn dis
position to play ball NTH Japan, at
least for the present.
By ths Associated Press.
NANKING, China, December H.
Marking officials seized fresh hope to-
day for an end to China's civil war
and release Of Generalissimo Chang
Kai-shek after conferences with re-
bellious Marshal Chang Hseuh -liang' S
British adviser, James Elder
At the same time, a spokesman de-
elared messenger was bringing an
autographed letter from the impris-
oned military overheard which would
"dispel doubts as to the generals
safety"
He also cited a telegram, purported-
~ from w. H. Donald, Chiang's Aus
tralian-born adviser, saying he had
returned to Sianfu and was remain
ing in the same room with the gen.
eralissimo."
(Unconflrmed rumors which cir
culated in Shanghai said Marshal
Chang had fled Sianfu by plane,
arriving in Taiyuanfu, capital of
Shansi Province. and approximate
ly $50 miles northeast of Sianfu.
Some reports asserted Chang
might be attempting to leave the
country. presumably through Peip-
ing or Tientsin. Taiyuanfu is ap-
proximately half the distance be.
tween Sianfu and Tientsin.)
Elder, who arrived in the capital
early today, was closeted with govern
ment officials for the greater part Of
the day attempting to work out sat
lsfactory solution for the crisis.
Movements Strictly Controlled.
His movements were strictly con-
trolled by Marking authorities. Guards
were posted around the entrances Of
the private residence and no outsiders
permitted to talk with him.
The control yuan (counciD approved
a motion condemning Marshal Chang
to public execution as a result Of the
military rebellion in which the gen.
eralissimo was seized last Friday.
He (Chang) has shaken the nation
to its foundations, the yuan declared
In a statement. so enormous is his
he die 10, 900 Deaths
Loyal forces, organized into an ex-
pedition to suppress the Shensi Prov
ince rebellion, were reported engaged
in intermittent clashes with Marshal
Chang's soldiers in the mountain
passes which form the gateway from
Eastern China into the interior prov
ince situated in the great plain area.
The nations highest authorities an
nounced the rebellious marshal had
released Gen. Chang Ting-wen,
trusted lieutenant and fellow captive
of the dictator. to convey personal
message to Minister of War Ho Ying-
chin, commanding the punitive ex-
pedition against Sian.
At the same time the foreign Office
reiterated the generalissimo remains
safe" and T. T. Ii, director of in
telligence, announced Chang Hsueh-
liang broadcasted a statement that
protection had been afforded the gen.
eralisSimo."
1t was believed the rebellious Mar
(See CHINA, Page A-4)