Peking, Jan. 29.
General Cheng Yi has telegraphed to the Central Government that since the capture of Suifu, the rebels, apparently, have been awaiting assistance from Yunnan. Sufficient reinforcements have been ent to Luchow and Tzuliuchin, so at these two places are now quite safe and the troops there can well afford to await the arrival of the main body of General Tsao Kun's northern troops.
There is no truth that General Cheng Yi, has sent in his resignation. In view of the importance of the defences of the capital of Szechuan, General Cheng Yi has been ordered to stay at Chengtu to direct military affairs without proceeding to the Yunnan-Szechuan frontiers.
On the recommendation of General Cheng Yi, the 11th Division, in Hupeh, has been converted into the 9th Division and placed under the command of Lieut.-General Li Tien-tsai, who has been ordered to go to Szechuan immediately to assist General Tsao Kun to recapture Suifu city from the Yunnanese. Hence, including the 7th Division under Lieut.-General Chang Chin-yao, the total strength of the forces under General Tsao Kun is about 40,000 rank and file, most of whom are infantry—Szechuan and Yuonan do not permit of the employment of large forces of cavalry or artillery.
According to the telegraphic report of Chiangehun Lu Jung-ting, Kuangsi, the Kuangsi troops had a fight with the Yunnan rebels in the vicinity of Lopingfu on the 25th instant, and after a struggle lasting three hours, the rebels were defeated and retired to Yunnan territory. There will be no big fighting along the Kuangsi-Yunnan frontiers until the arrival of Lieut.-General Lung Chin-kuang's troops from Kuang-
337 tung, and Chiangchun Lu reports a normal condition of affairs in his province.—From Our Chinese Correspondent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.