The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1936-12-26

were reports tnaC the government
agreed to pay the young marshal'i
troops, known as the northeastern
army, millions of dollars in bach
pay and that the young marsha
himself might take a long "vaca-
ton" abroad-perhaps with more
millions.
Nevertheless two direct partici.
pants in the negotiations that led II
the generalissimo's release said thai
the young marshal would return tt
Sian-Fu, where he seized the gen.
eralissimo, to resume command Of
his army.
This army was supposed to be
combating strong force Of
Chinese communists. The generals
simo went to see why the young
marshal was not more active ir
pursuing his campaign. The young
marshal seized him and demanded
as the price Of release war against
Japan and a reformation Of the
government with communists repre-
sented.
Beautiful Wife Helped
The generalissimos wife, the
beautiful former Meilung Soong
and her brother T. v. soong, gov
eminent Of the National Bank, were
at Sianfu, Drawing seizure them
selves, to negotiate the generals
simo's release. With them were w
L. Donald, an Australian who for
years was confidential adviser to the
young marshal.
On Christmas day, appropriately
enough, for the generalissilno and
his wife-his converter-are Chris
tians, final terms were effected and
the whole party left ancient SIAN
Flu, which was China's capital be-
fore Christ was born, in airplanes.
They arrived, the Generalissimo
Nine. Chang, the young marshal,
Soong and Donald, with an escort
Of four fighting planes, at Loyang
after dark Christmas day, even as
troops were massing for fight in
the Sian-Fu district.
News Flashed to Country
From Loyang the news was tele-
phoned to Marking and flashed
through the country. Giant cele-
brations were started at once In all
cities, parades and fire cracker ex-
blossoms in Thanksgiving at the re-
lease Of the country's strong man,
almost unanimously loved and re:
spected and regarded as China's
chief hope for unity--a unity which
the country hopes some day will
permit 1t to oppose successfully
Japan's Entertainments.
The arrival Of the kidnap party
at Loyang was flttingly dramatic.
Sarl Leaf, United Press correspond
ent who were there on his way to
Sian-Fu, saw 1t.
It was after dark when the plane
squadron appeared over the city. At
once upon the hearing Of the air
plane motors, searchligts shot their
beams upward, picked out the
planes, and anti-aircraft guns were
trained on them. Then the search
lights showed the insignia of the
Central government and officials,
sensing the Importance of the oc-
casion, fastened to greet the gen.
eralissimo.
In Good Health
He was In good health. He ac-
cepted congratulations and he and
his party were driven from the air.
port to the Central Military Acad-
envy TO spend the night. Every eff
fort was made to conceal the young
marshal's presence. The generals
simo refused q statement. Few peo-
pie knew Of the landing until later
in the evening. Then there were
joyous celebrations. :
Early this morning. the young
marshal's private secretary broad
cast from Sian-Fu q speech in
which he called the freed generals
simo the greatest hero Of Chinese
history, said that all China was now
united and added:
"All China must support the gen.
eralissimo, support the governments
principles and Join In fighting the
(Japanese) imperialists."
The party left Loyang, this morn
ing. The generalissino and his wife
landed here at 1920 p. m. and the
young marshal. with T. v. Soong,
two hours later.
President Met Him
President Lin Sen himself was ut
the airport to lead In the reception
for the generalissimo. Cheers start
ed In the city as the plane circled.
Many thousands Of people gathered
mistakenly at the Ming palace air.
port instead Of the army airport.
But after @ celebration ut the mill
tary port. the generalissimo waa
driven 10 the Ming palace port,
cheered there and ON the way by
thousands OF joyous people, and
then taken 10 his residence IN the
military academy compound where
he had lunch with members OF his
family and o few close friends.
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