Loyalty to Tuan ernment Tested ow Political Developments: Inspectorates-General of the Army Abolished; Feng to Remain Tupan of W. Frontier Defence Peking, Jan. 5.
The recent popular apprehension" is now understandable in view of the Intest political developments, which ave aroused the keenest interest and, general satisfaction, as a situation has been created which will reveal Marshal Feng Vu-hsiang's real attitude towards the Tuan Admi stration, Marshal Chang Tso-lin a few days informed Peking that he intended to return to Mukden, probably leaving Tientsin to-day. Thereupon. all the members of the Cabinc, except the Acting Ministers of Faueation and Commerce, went to In this connexion it_may be remarked that Gen. Ma has hitherto been looked upon as an opponent: lof Marchal Peng. He is one of the most prominent Mohammedan leaders Jand one whom the Government have ful ways deemed it necessary Piacate in order to avoid trouble with the powerful Mohammedan' clans in the Northwest; and the question atives whether Gen. Ma will accept the appointment, and if} so what would be his relations with Marshal Feng.
The third mandate appoints Gen. Li Ming-chun Tutung of Suaiyuan Gen, Tientsin, ostensibly with the object of bidding him farewell.
The departure of the Cabinet Ministers, coupled with hints that important mandates were contempt ated, which would accept Marshal Feng's resignations, seems to have been principally responsible for the public anxiety.
The expected mandates issued last night.
'The first mandate states that in compliance with Marshal Feng's request the poste of inspectors-general of the army, one of which he himself held, are hereby abolished. Marshal Feng' is instructed to remain as Tupan of Northwest Frontier Defence, to cancel his leave and to asouine this once immediate.
Tu connexion with this mandate it is noteworthy that the Tsao Kun administration appointed shal Feng Tupan of Northwest Frontier Defence, but the Marshal quietly ignored the appointment.
The second mandate appoints Gen, Ma Fu-hsiang Ca-Director of North: west Frontier Defence, The fourth mandate appoints! General Sung Chi-yuan Acting] Commandant of the lith Division.
In making this appointment the Government do not relieve Marshal]
Peng of the command of his splendid Lith Division, but it is assumed that the Government expect him to turn lever the command temporarily ]Gen. Sung, which is considered to constitute a great test of the Marshal's loyalty to the Government.
Offical circles affirm that Marshal [Feng is ready to comply with the Keports from Tientsin assert that Marshal Chang Tso-lin's decision to return to Mukden wae taken because he was tired of the procrastination, end many well-informed persons in eking say that his intention to retire to the North precipitated a situation in which the Government} determined to test the position im-
The th and final mandate! appoints Gen. Hsu Shu-tseng Special Delegate to study Political Affairs: in Europe, America and Japan—Reuter's Pacific Service.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.