Peking, June 10.
Officials who have come from Paotingfu report that General Wu Pei-fu has accepted General Chang Tso-lin's suggestion for an armistice because is anxious to withdraw from the political field and return to the strategic centre of Loyang, whence he can guarantee Peking an opportunity to revive the Parliamentary Government.
The agreement callls for the immediate withdrawal of Chang Tso-lin to beyond Chinchow and the recession of all cars and locomotives to the railway management.
Reports from Mukden indicate that Chang Tso-lin undertook these steps before the armistice wag arranged, indicating that Wu Pei-fu has gained nothing by entering into negotiations, but it is apparent from the attitude of General Lu Yung-hsiang, Tuchun of Chekiang, that there is movement on foot in the Yangtze Valley in opposition to Wu Pei-fu which will make it foolhardy for the Chibli forces to advance into Fengtien. Therefore, it is decidedly dig to Wu Pei-fu's advantage to exact from Chang Tso-lin a pledge for his good behaviour, which all Chinese believe that he will keep on the principle of a "'bandit's honour."
Wu Pei-fu and his advisers still believe that the recall of General Li Yuan-hung is the only workable solution of the situation and they feel certain that he will assume the residency within a week. The advisers are also convinced that 1 Parliamentary quorum is possible.
General Wu Pet-fu bases his claim for the legality of Li Yuan-hung becoming President on the theory that Yuan Shih-kai's term automatically ended when he announced himself Emperor and therefore Li Yuan-hung's Presidency should rightfully have included the Imperial hiatus in the Republic's existence and. that this period now due to him. This argument is challenged everywhere, but Tuchun Lu Yung-hsiang's opposition should be discounted, because, two years ago, he strongly advocated Li Yuan-hung's recall under similar arguments. He is now in Opposifion for political reasons only.
Wu Pei-fu's advisers have given him an assurance that the terms to Chang Tso-lin will not re-instate the latter, but it will -be insisted that he shall renounce his offices and titles and declare himself a private citizen at the Government's future disposition. Chang Tso-lin's only demand at present is for time to conduct an orderly retreat.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.