Evening star., 1948-11-15
Reds Surge On
From Suchow,
Peril Nanking
Nationalist Forces
Reported Cracking
On Capital Approach
By the Assoeiaisd Press

NANKING, Nov. IS. 49, Red
threats to Nanking increased to-
day as Communists surged south
ward from the Suchow area.
A mounting breakup Of Nationalist
forces along the outer approaches to
the capital was reflected in reports
from the war area.
Neutral reports said Suchow was
isolated. Others had q mechanical
force fighting its way to the relief of
trapped government troops east OF
the city.
Communist forces reached Suh-
sien, 135 miles northwest of Nam
king. One report said the town was
captured by the Reds.
The railroad, connecting Pukow
across the Yangtze from Marking,
and Suchow, had been cut in several
places. Government reinforcements
moving up from Marking we're re-
ported stranded in spots along the
line. There were no reports from
Suchow itself
Opposition to Chang Fades.
Charles Hayes of Salem, Mass,
pilot of a plane that flew out Is
Catholic missionaries to Shanghai,
said there were signs of heavy fight
ing near the Suchow airport, five
miles east of the city.
On the political front President
Chang Kai-shek and top leaders
met in Marking to discuss a pro-
test to the United Nations against
alleged Russian aid to the Reds.
Reliable sources said no decision
was reached, but indicated a pos
sible government statement later
. Talk of a war cabinet" without
Gen. Chang died down.
In q desperate effort to save the
Suchow situation, the government
repeatedly had thrown some of the
weary troops evacuated from the
Manchurian port of Hulatao into
the battle. Also, three govern
ment divisions were landed at
Lienyunkang, eastern terminus of
the Lunghai railroad. They started
a diversionary westward move.
U. 8. Marines In Tientsin.
Elsewhere there was news Of two
government setbacks in northwest
operations and the arrival Of Amer
ican Marines for guard duty in
Tientsin.
A small detachment of Leather
necks was flown from Tsingtao,
United States Navy base. to protect
the Aensrican ccpsulsts and help
evacuste Americans from North
China Nationalist soldiers looted
Tientsin food shops Th,irsday. The
whole area faces Communist occu-
patton II the Reds win out at
Suchow. '
FAN Of Paoting, capital Of Hopei
Province, was reported imminent,
Ofncial quarters in Peiping con-
firmed the evacuation Of govern
ment regulars and top oficials from
the city, 90 miles southwest of
Peiping
Mobs Loot City.
Communist occupation Of Cheng-
teh, seat Of ,Jehol Province, was
reported by the Shanghai news
paper Sun Pao. It said mobs had
looted the city before the Reds
moved in three days ago.
CThe Communist radio, head
by the Associated Press in San
francisco. declared, "Only about
one more year Of the revolution
ary war will be required funda-
mentally to overthrow the Kuo-
mintang rule and establish Q
peaceful Democratic and united
New China')
Foreigners were leaving the danger
areas by the hundreds. Chinese have
fed southwark from Marking by the
thousands. Talk cropped up again
Of removing Chinas capital to Can
ton or some other southern city II
Suchow falls,
More than $50 foreign residents,
about half Of them Americans, were
due to sail at dawn for Shanghai
aboard converted American de-
stroyer. In Shanghai they will board
homewsrd-bound ships as facilities
become available.