The storm that was threatening in the west two weeks ago has now burst in all its fury. The days of comparative quietness have given way to the frightful shriek of shot and shell and the victor of a month ago has now become the vanquished and once more we enter on new regime, a regime that promises to be more stable than any that has preceded it.
When the Yunnan troops, 10,000 strong, reached the city of Tuhshan in Kueichow, they divided their forces, some entering Kiuangsi vid Lipo and Sion, and the others going via Panghai, and Huchow, and then by boat to Changon. The former company, which was the smaller of the two, reached the city of Kingyuan, three days' travel west of Liuchow, and were there met by the forces of Lin Chen-ting with orders to change their route and take the long overland route eastward vid Pingloh to Kuangtung. This change of march had many dangers the road over which they were to travel was not the best and accommodation along the road was far from adequate to entertain such a large company of men. Moreover the "Green Forest'? men were in the mountains in large numbers ready to assist them to carry their loads (in another direction) whenever an occasion presented itself. However, the Yunnan troops accepted the programme and the march began. All went well until the main body reached a, position north of Liuchow when a halt was made. Rains, it was said, had so raised the river that it was dangerous to cross and so the troops were delayed severa] days.
Meanwhile the smaller body had reached Changon and were being waited upon by General Lin's re-} presentatives, who asked them to change their course and follow their brethren eastward over the overland route. General Luh who was leading the Yunnan forces objected to the suggested change of route and after a few days rest continued His journey southward by native craft and three small motor launches.
ConsTerNation tu LrucHow.
The news that the Yunnan troops had embarked for Liuchow caused a commotion in the military centres, and threw the people jato a! panic as it seemed that again they were to bear the pains of war. Ttis fear was increased when Gzneralj Lin issued notices to the various loca] governing bodies stating that he was powerless to provers a clash and calling upon the different Boards to select representatives to go forward and try to open up negotiations.
The services of the foreign missionary were secured and he and representatives from -the Chamber of Commerce and the Self-Government Association engaged a motor Jaunch and were soon on their way to meet the oncoming soldiers, It was not a pleasant journey. The country was filled with "Green Forest" men and soldiers were stationed at various points to guard the roads leading to the city. At these points the launch was stopped and had to pass through an examination.
The second day out the city of Lincheng was reached and from a distance it could be seen that the Yunnan soldiers were arriving, and upon landing it was found that the Commander-in-Chief Luh-T'ao and his Chief of Staff had already arrived. The peace delegates met the Commander-in-Chief and his staff and presented a plea for the preservation of the city of Liuchow and the protection of its citizens. The Commander stated that they had hoped to pass peacefully through the province, and enter Kuangtung where they were to join the forces being sent against the North. He said that all he and his troops required was an open road and rations for the troops for which they, were willing to pay the customary prices. He added that, if his way were blocked, he would be committed to resort to force but he would prefer the other way.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.