Evening star., 1949-08-24
Gen. Chang Hastens
To Chungking 70 Bar
Peace Deal With Reds
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
CANTON, Aug. "a. Chang
Kai-shek few to Chungking today
in an apparent attempt to foil any
secret agreement between wal
lords of Szechwan and the Com
munists.
Chiangs flight apparently was
one of great urgency. He post
poned a meeting of the Koumin-
tang party's emergency council to
make 1t.
Szechwan's war lords are known
to be eager to keep their fences
mended at all times. They have
been at odds with Chang Chun,
commander of the Nationalist In
Southwest China. His jurisdiction
embraces the provinces of Szech-
wan, Kweichow. Yunnan and
Sikang.
Rumors here are current Chang
wishes to resign. Chang, these
rumors say. wishes to prevent
this.
Successes Reported.
The wobbly Nationalist situa-
tion is Threatened from within
and without.
In Central China the Nation
alists presented Chang with re-
ports of successes.
Gen. Pal Chung-hsi. COM
mander in Central China, an
nounced his counteroffensive had
rolled on to two new victories
over the Communists on both
Eastern and Western flanks of
Hengyang. This is the Human
Province defense bastion 265 miles
north Of Canton on the Canton
Hankow railway.
Yuhsien, so miles east-north-
east of Hengyang, was recaptured
from the Reds. he said. by Nation
alist forces which had struck
back from Leiyang, rail town 230
miles north Of Canton. On the
way they also retook Anjen, almost
midway between Leiyang and
Yuhsien.
On Pals western flank. the Reds
were reported thrown out of
Lantien. 10 miles northwest of
Hengyang.
Human Position Better.
The victories put the Ma
tionalists in a better position in
Human than at any time since
they lost the provincial capital of
Changsha early this month. The
good news arrived a day after
Chang flew into this refugee
capital from Formosa.
Chiang'S departure for Chung
king was unexpected. He origi-
nally had set meeting of the Ma
tionaliSt emergency council for
today. At the last minute. how
ever, he decided to make the trip
before meeting with the council,
supreme war cabinet.
Chungking was the provisional
capital during World War II and
probably will be~again If Canton
falls.
Before leaving. Chang named
Gen. Kwan Ling-tsun commander
in chief of the army. succeeding
Gen. Chang Fa-kwei. Kwan, who
has been superintendent of the mil
itary training center at Chengtu,
was in the first graduating class of
the Whampoa Military Academy
There he was a favoriate student
Of Chang. the acaderny's founder.
The lull continued on the
Kiangsi-Kwangtung front north
east of Canton where the Com
munists have come as close as ITO
miles to this uneasy capital.
Canton's Fate at Stake.
The future of Canton depends
largely on the course of battle in
that area where both sides are
massing forces. The Reds are
preparing an invasion of Kwang-
tung, Canton's province. The Ma
tionalists are setting up a coun-
terofensive.
In the far northwest. the Kan
su provincial capital of Lanchow
was reported still in government
hands. The Ministry of National
Defense said Communist attacks
were continuing but their losses
were heavy.
The British consulate general in
Canton today began representing
American interests in this provi-
sional capital area.
The action followed official clos
ure of the American consulate
general here-the oldest American
consular Office in China.
The last batch of American con-
sular officers motored to the air.
port and boarded a naval plane
late in the dav- They fed tn the