Speculations on Marshal Chi's Plan of Campaign: When Will Fighting Begin?
There was no sign of military activity at Kiangnan Arsenal Monday, and it is estimated that the number of troops now stationed there do not number more than 100. On Thursday the troops doing guard duty were withdrawn and replaced by a small force from Lunghua, but these latter also left on Sunday night. It would appear from this that, chauid fighting begin, there will be no engagement at Kiangnan in the initial stages.
The opinion has been formed that Marshat Chi will endeavour to take possession of the railway into Shanghai and, if successful, would throw out troops round the Arsenal from the Shanghai-Hangchow Railway Junction. Presumably, by that time a strong force of Chekiang troops would have fallen back for defence of the Arsenal and a: heavy engagement would ensue. For the moment, there are no signs of the least anxtoty at the Arsenal itself, go far the authorities are concerned:
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