Rumour that Marshal Lu Might Blow up Arsenal If Beaten to Keep It from Enemy Marshal Chi Hsieh-yuan's statement to Mtr. Rodney Gilbert that it was the intention of Marshal Lu Yung-hsiang to set fire to Shanghai in case of defeat, was proved incorrect when inquiries were of officials of the Shanghai cipal Counell,—as stated in a footnote to Mr. Gilbert's paragraph quoting Marshal Chi.
Since the writing of that footnote, a representative of the "North-China Daily News" has been engaged in tracing the origin of the report.
Dr. Loh, secretary to General Ho Feng-tin, laughed the suggestion out of court. He: said that neither Marshal Lu nor General Ho Feng-lin would consider such 8 project. He regarded the report ax the "machination of—poorly-formed agents who, having. nothing to report, sent' whatever same into their heads.
From another source, however, it was learned that there was' a remote basis for the rumour and the explanation given there sounds plausible in view of the political situation in the country. That explanation is that, should Marshal Lu be defeated, he would destroy the Kiangnan Arsenal to prevent from being of service to his. enemies. The Arsenal is one of the largest in the country. Should it fall into the hands of Marshal Chi Hsieh-yuan before a settlement, of the conflict between Wu Pei-fu and Chang Tso-lin takes place, it will be of great assistance' to Wu Pei-fu, who could utilize it to supplement the output of the other arsenals which he controls. It might therefore be considered expedient by Marshal Lu and General Ho Feng-lin to destroy it.
Dr. Loh denied the possi ity of such an act, however.
The Kiangnan Arsenal is one of the most important in China. It is capable of producing field "pieces up to the calibre of 9 inch. Large quantities of small arms and munitions can be turned out. The Proximity to Shanghai is a valuable asset to the Arsenal, since its products may be speedily tra ported to all parts of China. Wu Pei-fu now controls the Hanyang, Tehchow, Paotingfu, Tsinanfu, Kaifengfu and other smaller: arsenals. There is an arsenal in Nanking which produces principally.
els and cartridges. The combination of the Kiangnan and Nanking Arsenals would strengthen Marshal Chi Hsieh-yuan's position.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.