Evening star., 1936-12-25

NANkING, December 25.-General-
issimo Chang Kai-shek, held captive
at Sianfu for IA days by rebellious
Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, was re-
leased Internationally" tonight, the
foreign Office announced.
First information Of the military
overlord's liberation came to DR.. H. H.
Kung, acting head of the Nanking
government. by official dispatch from
Loyang. Honan Province.
Gen. Chang returned to Loyang,
the governments declaration asserted,
In company with the young marshal"
who rebelled against the Chinese
premier for a supreme order trans
ferring him and his troops to a SOUTH
ern station away from friendly"
Communist influences in the north
west.
Accompanying the generalissimo
were his American-educatedw wife, DR..
T. v. Soong, his brother-in-law, and
w. H. Donald, Australian adviser to
the central administration.
Crisis Remains Unsettled.
The generals release, official sources
declared, did not follow any settle
ment of the governmental crisis
brought on by Marshal Chang's de-
mand for organized aggression against
Japan.
Government authorities were rep
resented as feeling his newly-gained
freedom came as q result Of expert
negotiations" conducted by Chiang's S
family and his authoritarian admin
astration.
While details of the generalissimo's
release were not Immediately dis
closed, the Central (oficial Chinese)
News Agency reported the trip from
Sianfu. in interior Shensi Province,
was made by airplane to Loyang, in
adjoining Honan.
A Central news dispatch from
Tungkwan, on the Shensi border, re-
ported large plane passed oevr that
provincial town at approximately 4
pm. escorted by four military ships.
The squadron was headed eastward,
the Central news report declared,
adding ''it is believed here the big
plane contains the generalissimo en-
route to Loyang."
An earlier report from the Chinese
finance ministry said the general was
freed early today, arriving in Loyang
ut $50 pm. 4:30 am. E. S. IT,.
Capital Rejoices at News.
The Chinese capital received news
OF the end of China's civil war with
rejoicing, turning what at first prom
ised to be sorrowful Christmas OBJ
servance into an enthusiastic celebra-
ton.
Radio stations issued frequent bull
letins on official and unofficial reports
dealing with the Sianfu situation.
Newspapers, long prepared for either
dcleful or happy developments in the
tangled domestic crisis, issued extra
editions.
Firecrackers-the Chinese equivalent
Of American bells and whistles during
celebrations-began to pop in many
cities as the official announcement
was flashed through the country.
N9OAuC OAACld1o CASolLCQ tklc S6ucTdl.
issimo's release on Christmas day to
efforts of Mime. Chang and her
brother, who, disregarding government
warnings, hew to Sianfu several days
ago to negotiate on behalf Of the over
lords family.
Speculate Is to Terms.
While the official announcement
declared the generalissimo was re-
leased Internationally" well-in-
formed Chinese and foreign circles
credited his liberation to an agree
ment in peaceful settlement Of the
governmental crisis.
Principal honor for the alleged &C.
cord was given to DR.. Soong and Gen.
Yen Hsi-shan, pacification commis-
sioner for Shansi and Suiyuan Prov
1nces.
Authoritative sources reported be-
Hef the settlement might include three
points:
/. Marshal Chang's retirement from
military service and departure abroad.
2. Transfer of Marshal Chang,s
troops to the command Of Gen. Yen.
8. Payment OF q large sum Of money
10 Marshal Chang for expenses Of his