Evening star., 1949-04-15
luN in Yangtze Battle
Hints Concessions by
Marking in Peace, Talk
kY the Afsoe,ntsd Press


NANKING. April 15.-A hull fell
today over the Yangtze, embattled
river line between the Communist
north and the Nationalist South. !
1t could only have been ordered
by the Communists. They hold
nearly all the cards in China's long
and costly game of civil war.
Observers took the lull as addi-
tional proof that the Nationalist
delegates at Peipings peace"
conference had made concessions.
Now they waited for news from
beyond the Communist built wall
of silence as to how far these con-
cessions go.
Pao Ching-an, government
spokesman, told newsmen the for
NAL peace talks opened in Com
nunist Peiping Wednesday night.
That was all the news he had to
offer.
Conditions Believed Accepted.
Observers speculated that the
government delegation now would
try to stall on methods of COM
plying with Communist condi-
tions.
They took 1t for granted that
the government had agreed to the
conditions. These call for the
surrender Of the government
armies, trial of Nationalist lead
ers as war criminals" and a
complete revamping OF the gov
ernment to give the Communists
control. among other things.
Observers saw a chance that
the talks might break down, just
as they did after the delegation
arrived In Peiping. That break
down provoked a Communist ulti-
matum to accept the terms or the
consequences.
The consequences would be a
crossing of the Yangtze in force.
This threat still hangs over Nam
king and the Nationalist delega-
ton.
Although Communist troops are
reported to have withdrawn for
several miles at some points along
the Yangtze's north bank. they
still are In an excellent position
for swift and major drive across
the river. /
Last Minute Spurts Made.
Both sides seemed to have
made 1ast-minute military spurts
Wednesday before the formal
opening Of peace talks brought on
the lull.
Government troops recaptured
Kwachow, a north bank bridge
head city about 40 miles northeast
Of Nanking, the official Central
News Agency said. The govern
ment also claimed 1t had retaken
another bridgehead about 5 miles
to the east of Sankiangyin.
Control of these points would
allow the Communists to cut the
road and railway to Shanghai with
artillery fire.
A government spokesms" con-
ceded that the Communists had
taken a firm grip on the Yangtze
River island of Taiyangchow, 10
miles southwest of Marking.
It would be easy for the Com
inunists to hop the narrow arm of
the Yangtze separating the island
from the south bank. 1t also would
be valuable as a support for a
larse-scaled Red crossing in that
area.
Money Demanded Of Chang.
Meanwhile, the Control Yuan
Finance Committee asked for a
part of China's $500, 900 900 GU. 81
to help tide the government over
q rough spot.
The money assertedly was
rushed to Formosa and Annoy by
Chang Kai-shek before his re-
tirement from the presidency in
January. It is reported under
the watchful eye of Chang sub
ordinates and has been denied
the Nanking government.
The control Yuan (auditing
body wants at least 5000. 600, 900
of the money to pay civil servants
and the Army and to help
stabilize the imitation ridden
country.
The financial situation In II
Shanghai has become so acute