New Levies for the Army, and the Arsenal at Work Day and Night.
Mukden, Sept. 20.
The new recruits, who have been levied by Marshal Chang Tso-lin in various parts of South Manchuria, are arriving at Mukden in a large number, and are now being drilled in order to add fresh force to the Fengtien troops. The large quantities of arms ans ammunition, which Marshal Chang has purchased from certain quarters, have jalveady arrived here. The Arsenal at Mukden has been greatly enlarged, where workmen are being worked to death in the manufacture of arms and ammunition, operations proceeding day and night.
The fact that Marshal Chang is devoting himself to the completion of warlike preparations is indicative, it is generally observed, of significant events, in view of the rumour now in circulation of the reopening of hostilities between. Chibli and Fengtien.—Eastern Nows Agency.
In connexion with the above the following paragraph from the "Manchurian Daily News" is of.interest:—As regards the reports appearing in the Chinese press of Peking, indicating that Chihli-Fengtien hostilities were about to break out again, a military critic is understood to deny despatch of any Fengtien troops towards Shanhaikuan, and also reinforcement of the Wu Pei-fu troops north of Tientsin. Gen. Wu happens to be shifting his troops from Loyang Chengchow for the sake of its moral effect on his personal position in the event of a possible Ministerial change at Peking, and it is thought probable that the rumours of the imminence of hostilities have been circulated to the end of diverting public attention.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.