Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-10-31
Fall Of Mukden
Feared Decidinu
Blow in China
Chiong's Effort to Beot
Reds on Nationwide
Scale Believed Lost
By the Associated Press

NANKING, Oct. Mukden
collapsed into Chinese Commu-
mist hands today in the most
stunning government loss of the
three-year civil war, reliable
sources in this fearful capital re-
ported tonight.
Many high Chinese and foreign
sources declared the civil war had
been decided with the fall of the
great Manchurian city. Quick re-
tirement from the remaining small
holdings in southernmost Man
churia was predicted
Bitter fighting may continue in
China-proper for months or even
years, the sources said, but Gen.
eralissimo Chang Kai-sheks effort
to defeat the Communists on a ma
tion-wide scale has died. The
latest setback brought speculation
on the possibility of replacing
China's longtime leader.
Anarchic Confusion Reported.
Some unofficial quarters said the
Communists completely occupied
Mukden. swollen to nearly 1000 900
population by refugees.
Later and equally credible re-
reports near midnight said the en-
clrcllng Communist armies had not
yet taken full charge but the last
government officials fled by car at
3 pm, leaving the city in anarchic
confusion.
associated Press Correspond
ent Spencer Moosa reported from
Pelplng the Nationalist airforce
withdrew from Mukden. Public
radio communication with the
city ceased.
(Reports received in Peiping
said Communist posters in Muk-
den urged the populace to calmly
await the arrival of the Reds.
The posters bore the seal of Gen.
lSo-hslang, one of the most
prominent men in Manchuria
before Japan's invasion in 1881
Garrison Already Gone.
Recent pro government reports
nave indicated the bulk of Muk-
dens 150,000-man garrison already
had left, attempting to fight its way
southwest or to escape via the South
Manchurian port of Yingkow, lis
miles from Mukden.
The government had no confir-
nation OF Communist claims to de-
struction of IL divisions of this
force two days ago. but the of1icial
denials sounded half hearted.
(The Communists said 10 of
these divisions were American
equipped and were the cream of
Ch1ang's army. The government 20
has kept silent about the makeup
and equipment of its ,forces.)
Whereabouts of Gen. Wei Ii.
huang, Manchurian commander, was
unknown.
The government still has hundreds
OF thousands of troops under arms,
but the best quarters question their
will to defend themselves, let alone
to attack.
Some observers thought this pic
ture was painted too dark, and
banked on a possible 1ull during
which Gen. Chang could pull his
shocked forces together.
Chang Flies to Marking.
Gen. Chang, the president and
for more than 20 years the strong
man of China, flew back to Marking
tonight from Peiping, his two-week
effort to recoup his northern mill
tary fortunes a failure.
This evidently strained and weary
man-now 81 years old-alone can
answer the question of what comes
next. Most reliable sources said his
return foretokened drastic devel-
opments."
Official and diplomatic circles
buzzed with speculation whether he
might move his capital south to
Canton or even west to war-famous
Chungking.
Marking is more than 750 miles
by air south of Mukden, and Com
munist raids never have reached
nearer than 100 miles north.
If OBJECTIONS which have cost the
government so dearly in the past