Whatever may be the truth regarding General Chang Tso-lin, there seem to be no two opinions about his son. The father is an enigma. The-good reputation which he holds in Manchuria is not by any means without foundation. Outside of his own dominion he is apparently viewed in a very different light. Here again valid reasons can be assigned for the general opinion. It is, in fact, quite probable that this remarkable man's character is not simple, but complex, neither entirely selfish, nor wholly disinterested. While the signs of the times are ominous, the future alone will show whether the Manchurian War Lord is a real patriot or not. Things certainly look otherwise just now.
To-day a prominent local official said:—"If it comes to fighting, it will be bad for the Government, no matter whether the Fengtien forces win or lose." And it looks like war. For besides the passage southwards of bodies of troops through our town, orders have come from Mukden to enlist recruits. A mere display of tron for purposes of bluff would hardly require the enlistment of recruits.
However dubious or reprehensible may be the character and actions of the "Big Commander-in-Chief" (as he is familiarly called), there is nothing but praise for the "Young Commander-in-Chief."" General Chang Han-ching (Hseuh-liang) has established a fine reputation, especially' within the last few years. hinese cand foreigners unite in admiration of this young man of 25, who is the apple of his father's eye. If, like Yuan Shih-kai, the father has lofty ambitions, not exclusive of here-diary power, it is all the more remarkable that the son is the kind of man ho is. Those who know him consider him unspoiled by wealth and honours,—straightforward, conscientious and keen. When passing through Mukden recently, Dr. John R.. Mott had personal interviews with both Marshal Chang and his son. Hie was very much impressed with the latter.
The calibre of General Chang Han-ching is shown by the following incident. Since its foundation several years ago, the Y.M.C.A. in Mukden has had to be content with modest rented quarters. A movement having been begun for the erection of a suitable building, Marshal Chang Tso-lin presented a valuable site inside the city wall. The question of funds for the building then arose. Hitherto the large Y¥.M.C.A. centres in the principal cities of China have received their expensive buildings as gifts from America.
"Lot us provide our own Y.M.C.A. building" said Chang
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.