Peking, July 9.
President Hsu Shih-chang this morning placed his seal to a new mandate, dismissing General Wu Pei-fu_and also depriving General Tsao Kun of his rank but allowing him to retain his present command. Marchal Tuan Chijui has undertaken to prevent fighting, if the mandate is issued, but he is still continuing his warlike preparations, The Ist Frontier Defenc= Division left for Liuliho last night.
The Anfuites assert that the 15th Division, General Feng Kuo-chang's former bodyguard, will support Marshal Tuan Chi-jui. The attitude of these troops in the crisis is problematical, Ayru Tureat to Wreck Pexine.
The Anfuites threaten, in the event of the defeat of their troops, that they will return to Peking and lay the city in ruins.
Whilst little is heard of the movements of General Wu Pei-fu's troops owing to the suspension of traffic on the Pehan line, it is re. ported that his advance guards have reached Kaopeitien. Thus some 20 miles now separate the opposing forces.
On the whole the situation is easier to-day, though the Chinese are convinced that fighting is unavoidable.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.