Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-13
China Truce Smashed
As Nationalist Army
Drives Against Reds
BY the Associated Prsss

15-day truce between warning
Nationalist and Communist fac
lions appeared to be reduced to
a scrap of paper today.
The government tightly con-
trolled Central News Agency re-
ported Nationalist troops We're driv-
! ing ahead in Manchuria and had
frustrated attempted landings by
Communists near Tsingtao, where
United States Marines have one of
their strongest North China garri-
sons.
Chinese press dispatches said
without other confirmation that
martial law had been proclaimed in
the Shantung Peninsula seaport.
While deep concern was shown
over the situation in Tsingtao. Gen.
George C.. Marshalls headquarters
said the fighting had failed to halt
negotiations for permanent settle
ment of China civil war.
Marshall Is Concerned.
A spokesman at the capital said
Gen. Marshall was continuing
with regular affairs" although no
attempt was made to hide concern
over reported heavy fighting within
the scope of American Marine gar
rlSOnS.
AS the new crisis in North China
seemingly developed new strains on
old issues, Communist Spokesman
Wang Ping-nan announced an or
der hating the attack on Tsingtao
by Communist forces had been dis
patched to Shantung Province by q
Communist representative who was
accompanied on his peace mission
by an American officer.
1t appeared that the American Of
ficer was dispatched with the Com
munist representative to avoid an in
ternational conflict involving United
States Marines based at TSingtao.
The Communist spokesman de-
scribed Communist activities in
Shantung as "Self-defenSe' after
warning Nationalist who were said
to be advancing against Communist
held Kiangsu cities in six columns
Attacks by Nationalist on the Com
munist new 4th Army were declared
TO be under way around HSiaO Hsien
and Tungshan Hsien south of
HSuchow.
LIST Army Crosses Sungari
In Manchuria the Central News
Agency asserted that Nationalist
troops had cleared Communists
north of the capital city of Chang
chun and south of the mighty Sun
gari River and captured three more
towns identified as Nungan. SWatien
and Swatch. An undiScloSed num-
Der of Communist troops were said
to have surrendered to Gen. Tu Ii
mings New lSt Army, which has now
crossed the Sungari in push
toward Hardin.
Although the official Chinese
Army spokesman. Gen. kuo, de
clared the situation IN Tslngtao was
CRITICAL with its fate dependent
on the action of the United States
Sd Marine Brigade garrisoned there.
competent foreign quarters tended
to minimize the danger to the sea
port. These quarters said clashes IN
the vicinity of the city did not nee
essarily portend a Communist at
tack on the city itself.
American authorities appeared
watchful but there was no discern
IDLE sign of anxiety
Communications Good.
American communications with
Tslngtao, where probably about
5000 United States Marines and
sailors are based. were functioning
smoothly. 1t was pointed out that
even II Communist forces attempted
and succeeded IN taking the Marine
alrfleld on the outskirts of the city.
air communications with Tsingtao
still would be possible by seaplane.
Admiral Charles Cooke. United
States 7th Fleet commander who
paused at Marking for a meeting
with Gen. Marshall, was due 10 Az
to Tsingtao
Central News Agency reported
that ID Communist manned hunks
attempted to storm Hsuchitao
Island. II miles from Tsingtao but
were driven off after two assaults.
The report said government units.
not further identified. engaged 8
second Communist naval force" off
Tuantao Island. sinking five junks
and capturing two and driving the
ren3 inder sWay