American and Japanese Consuls Apprehensive: The Flight of Defeated Troops Tsingtao, Dec. 4
The United States destroyer Simpson has arrived, making six foreign warships here.
Reports are to hand of the defeat of General Ying Teh-san's rebellious troops near Komi. General Pi Shou-chen's loyal troops have gone fon to Weihsien and Paoshan to euppress banditry by the soldiers of General Sun Pao-sum; who have 1 verted to their old bandit status General Pi has wired here to the effect that he is en route to Chefoo to disarm the rebellious soldiers. The commandeering of automobiles here has caused the Chinese garages to bolt their doors temporarily. Dea. 1.
Realizing the situation is fraught with grave possibilities the Japanese and American Consulates have wired for warships.
The chief menace to Tsingtao is the possibility of a wild and disorderly refront eastward through the Shantung peninsula and by way of the Kiao-Tsi railway, the only outlet, Whether such a precipitate fight would be diverted at Weihsien and thence to Chefoo, or follow the whole length of the Kiao-Tsi railway to this city is not known, The Fighting at Kaomi 'A farther dangerous element in the situation is the reported hostilities at Kaomi, 40 miles away, wher loyal Shahtung troops under com mand of General Pi Shou-chen, commander of Protectionary Forces, in the Shantung peninsula, are trying to suppress a mutiny of General Ying Teh-san's soldiers, Gen eral Ying was the martial law commander in Tsingtao until 10 days ago, when he was sent with his two regiments and a regiment of local gendarmerie to protect the Kiao-Ts railway from possible bandit predations and keep it open for rat fle, General Ying had spent some time here and is said to have wanted to replace General Pi and establish headquarters in Tsingtao. His revolt is said to have been calculated for the purpose of gaining favour with the Honan invaders.
General Wang Hwai-bing, former Defence Commissioner of' Chefoo, who was also here until lately, is said to have escaped from Chuchou, whither he was sent to combat any invasion of General Bei Bao-shan's troops from the south. His forces are anid to have been scattered following an attack by General Pi's local forces.
The fact that there has been an actual clash not far away is attest. ed by the arrival here of several score wounded men with comparatively fresh wounds. The administration has issued no communique in connexion with the matter and the press is strangely silent.
The Railway in Danger The appearance of troops un General Bei Bao-san's leadership some point along the Kiao-Tsi railway is expected at any time. If they are able to drive off the railway guards the railway is liable to be interrupted. The report is current that General Ying Teh-san hopes to combine with General Bei Bao-san's forces.
The movement on the part of the Chamber of Commerce to pave the way for the formation of " Municipal Council with foreign representation, as provided in the Washington Treaty, does not appear to be making headway. In the past both Chinese and foreigners have been apathetic toward such a proposal. In view of the express provisions of the: Washington Treaty, which, naturally, could be interpreted safeguarding the rights and {ntet esta of foreign residents, this, indifference toward sugh @ council Tas idea, of course, a council, with its make up, would weight in, ing the int Apprehension in view'of the irosdht igpificant representing their onfued situations Renter's Patife
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.