Mukden a few days ago and it is understood that, if force should necessary, Marshal Chang Tso-lin proposes to put a strong army at. his disposal for the recapture of the territory over which he formerly. presided and that he is to be made Inspector-General of the provinces: of Kiangsu, Chekiang and Anhui. This information, which will not be very reassuring ' to Shanghs indicating a possible renewal of hostilities, is given with reserve, for has not been officially a Dut it is common report, There was another report at-the beginning of the war that several powerful Mongol princes had entered into an alliance with Chang Tso-lin and had promised him military aid should he require it. Hitherto the Marshal has not recruited any. other but his own men, but news has. reached here that a Mongol army. 30,000 strong, raised by a prince who is related to the Marshal by marriage, is nfarching down to the Chili border, prepared to take on work for which they may be]
If this be so Chang will little to fear in Peking. Wa Peifu. managed to get back to Tientsin and it is admitted here that he took 20,000 of his best troops with him, whilst he had pos sibly as many more in reserve there, but he has to reckon with Feng Yuhsiang, and the moment his eountermarch' was reported Li Ching-lin, who had come from the Jehol district to somewhere near Tongshan, ordered to establish himself in Peking. He marched in without. any opposition, with approximately 20,000 men who are a particularly tough fighting lot. The Chihli propaganda bureau industriously spread the rumour that Li had changed his colours, that he went to Peking to receive' orders and that he was marching on Mukden to turn the tables on his old chief, but Li is, staunch and can thoroughly be relied upon, Chang's Proclamation to Troops ig in mind the probability of orions entry into Peki Marshal Chang, of whose men determined critics have not been able to say that either in vie-tory or defeat they have got out of hand, has taken precautions to sure the retention of his arm; good name and to this end he has issued the following proclamation, which was read to' the men by the Commanders on all fron in the present struggle, Tsao Kun and Wu Poi-fu have been cruel enough to disturb the whole country in order to carry out their own ambitions. They have robbed "the suffering people of their earnings. and so have caused further hardships. As a consequence, numerous. families in Chihli Province have been ruined by them. Since hostilities with Mukden began they have committed many unpardonable sins against our fellow citizens. For instance, they have commandeered private carts, with their cattle and drivers. "Many of the drivers were starved to death, not to mention the cattle. For the wounded soldiers nothing has been done and the dead were left on the field. As you know, we are fighting with the enemies of our country. You have been brave and have won every bat-He and in the eyes of foreign spectators you have been praised for yur bravery. It is said that even the European war such bravery was not to be found. This is really a glory to us all.
"The citizens hate Tsao Kun and Pei-fu for their cruelty and they respect our gallant actions. When they saw our victories they were glad. They have organized parties to collect funds and presents to show their appreciation of your good work. Even the foreigners have contributed presents. In return for, the kind attitude of our fellow citizens you are expected to do more. As Wu Pei-fu has comted many unpardonable sins we should get rid of him in order to fulfil the expectations of our fellow citizens, but you must respect your reputation as good soldiers and you fare expected to do it
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.