Turning against Him It appears clear that as a result of the renewed fighting in the south the city of Wuchow, on the Kuangtung-Kuangsi border, has fallen into the hands of the forces of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, leader of the Kuomingtang, and that Gen. Chen Chiung-ming's (Commander-in-Chief of the Cantontse Army) men have been compelled to retreat.
Ever since the expulsion of Dr. Sun Yat-sen by Gen. Chen Chiung-ming last summer, efforts have been made to oust Gen. Chen and regain Kuangtung for the Kuomingtang. Gen. Chen is said to have tried to patch up matters with his former chief, but Dr. Sun has steadily refused to have anything to do with him.
Interviewed at his home at 29 Rue Moliere on Saturday afternoon, Dr. Sun Yat-sen said that his plansywere now being put into operation) A number of Chen's commanders had joined the Oonstitutionalists, there being among these Gen. Liang Hung-kai, commander of the Second Division, and Gen. Yeh Chu, who was the man who actually drove Dr. Sun out of Canton. Gen, Chang Kai-ju and Gen. Shen Hung-ying, a former Kuangsi commander under Gen. Lu Yung-ting (former High Military Inspector and Commissioner of Kuangtung and Kuangsi) had promised him their allegiance. Wuchow, Takhing, Fungchunyun, and a number of other places had fallen into the hands of Gen. Chang. Shekki, capital of the district of Heungshan (Dr. Sun's native place), has been captured by Dr. Sun's troops.
"How long will it be, do you think, before your troops enter Canton?" asked our representative.
"Two weeks," was the answer. "Tu five days I expect them to take Shiuhing, (a big town half way between Wuchow and Canton). They will, of course, have to march to this place. After this they will march to Canton, which will be in their hands in two weeks,"
"And Fukien? Will Gen. Chen he attacked from the north?" "There is no necessity" he declared. "One side is enough. No order has been given to our leaders in Fukien to attack Kuangtung.""
"Which side will Gen. Wu Pei-fu help? I understand he has made peace offers to you while at the same time he has an understanding with Gen. Chen."—'He has made us peace offers, but nothing has come of them. He is now sending troops to Kiangsi with a view to attacking my troops in Fukien."
"And Tsao Kun?"—"He is all right. He has offered to make peace with me, and we are still negotiating."
Dr. Sun was unable. te say just when he will leave for Canton, but it is possible that he may do
that hie troops will win.
very soon, sd confident is he Reports from Canton indicate that the loss of Wuchow came as a complete surprise to General Chen Chiung-ming who feels that he cannot rely on the support of all his Commanders. The defeat at Wuchow is said to be especially due to the defection of General Liu Chin-kuan who now seems to be definitely ce-operating with the forces at ing Kuangtung. These are divided into three bodies with Gen. Chang Kai-ju as Commander-in-Chief and all are reported to be working on behalf of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Ten thousand of these troops had concentrated at Wuchow jis said to be especial-and advanced from Wuchow_ to Kuangtung on January 1. Gen. Chang Kai-ju arrived at Wuchow on January 2.
Gen. Chen Chiung-ming's forces are concentrating on Fungchunyun which is about 25 miles from Wuchow. hence the opposing forces are likely to come in contact shortly. The allegiance of some of Gen. Chen Chiung-ming's- troops is considered doubtful owing to lack of pay, especially the division stationed at Shiuhing.
Considerable apprehension is felt in Canton. Foreign banke are reported to be crowded with Chinese depositing securities.—Reuter.
RUANGST ADVANCING, Peking, Jan. 8.
The forces invading Kuangtung are reported to have advan as far as the vicinity of Heuihing where fighting has begun, Admiral Liu Kuan-hsiung has arrived in Amoy with authority to arrange peace mong the warring factions in Fukien and has suggested three plans. He states that if none of them is accepted he will be compelled to adopt force.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.