Evening star., 1945-10-29
Heavy Fighting
Is Reportedin in
China Civil War
Reds Toke VituI Town
Central Army Losses
Are Put at 5000
1y the Associated Press.

Dy the Associated Press.
CHUNGKING, Oct. 29.-Re-
ports of heavy fighting between
Chinese Communist and Central
Government troops in North
China pictured today a nation
locked in civil war, real, though
not officially declared.
Warfare is growing in intensity in
Shantung, Shansi and Suiyuan
Provinces, according to dispatches
received in Chungking.
The Chinese press attributed to
Gen. Yen Hsi-shan, governor of
Shansi, now visiting Chungking, a
statement that government forces
suffered $4,000 casualties and Com
munist losses "also were heavy" in
fighting centering around Chang
chih, Strategic town in Southeastern
Shansi which Gen. Yen conceded
the Reds captured.
Independent reports said that
wherever the Communists were re-
treating along railways they were
destroying tracks and blowing up
bridges.
This explained the slow movement
Of Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek' S
troops which are proceeding along
the Peiping- Hankow and Tientsin-
Pukow railroads to replace United
States Marines in the Peiping-
Tientsin area.
Fighting in IL Provinces.
1nsistent reports that the Rus
slams were supplying the Commun-
lists with captured Japanese war
material continued to circulate in
Chungking, but no one in authority
would allow himself to be quoted.
Other reports told of bitter fight
ing in II provinces. mostly in North
China, but including central parts
of the nation and Kwangtung Prov
ince, on the southeast coast.
The New China Daily News, Com
munist publication, estimated 800, ,00C
Central Government troops were
battling the Reds. Neutral observ-
ers said they believed this figure
was exaggerated, but all quarters
conceded the fighting was serious
I'VE cannot consider the situation
represents civil war until General
issimo Chang Kai-shek openly pro-
claims it to be so and calls the Com
munists rebels" said an official
Communist spokesman.
Sources favoring Chiang's govern
ment said they believed the only
way to unity the nation was to
eliminate the Communists, which
they said they thought Chang could
do with an all-out, well executed
campaign in from three to six
months.
Apprehensive of Reaction.
These sources said they believed
Chang would start a smashing
campaign against the Communists
If he was not apprehensive over
the reaction from other nations, par
ticularly the United States, and the
possibility that Russia might sup
port the Reds.
Several Chungking sources said
they believed that there was no real
chance of putting the current dead
locked unity discussions between the
Communists and Chiangs govern
ment on the road to peaceful settle
ment.
A Communist spokesman in
Chungking clearly indicated that
the Reds would continue to fight
rather than allow Central govern
ment forces any free passage along
communication lines to North China
The Communists announced cap.
ture of Linmingwang, railroad towr
near Tzehsien in Southern Hope
Province, after inf1icting heavy
losses on "puppet troops"
Possession of Linmingwang woulc
put the Communists across the route
of Central Government troops NOV.
ing toward Peiping to relieve Ameri.
can Marines in the north.
The Marines have not become
involved in the fighting, and have
been ordered to stay clear of any
ENHANCEMENT in. China's interna
troubles.
Hold Rail Strong Points.
An official Communist spokesman
said his party leaders had turned
down a Central Government offel
to make no move against the Red!
outside. of railway zones in NORTH
China, in return for Communis
non-interference with rail communi
cations.
The Communists, he said, woult
not abandon their railway strong
points unless Chiang's government
agreed to confine traffic to civilian
and freight.
Another Communist report sal,
Central Government troops, whicl
have been flown into the Tientsin
Peiping area, were planning to pusl
westward along the Peiping-Suiyual
railroad IN an attempt to contac
troops of Gen. Flu Tso-yi movin
eastward in Inner Mongolia.
Gen. Flu, Governor of Suiyual
PROVINCE, recently accused Com
munist forces of trying to bottl
his army in the province, an
threatened to take drastic action
the Reds continued their tactics.