Movement to Secure Reunion between the Three Chief Leaders of E. China At a meeting of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce during the week-end an important statement concerning the peace of the eastern part of China was made by Mr. Fu Siao-en, the well-known Ningpo merchant, who is managing director of the Commercial Bank of China and the China Merchants' 8. N. Ca.
Mr. Fu stated that he had_personally approached the: Military Governors of Kiangsu (Gen. Chi Shieh-yuan), Chekiang (Gen. Lu Yang-hsiang) and Shanghai (Gen. Ho Feng-ling) and urged them to unite for the protection, peace and safety of the eastern section of China at this time of political crisis. Mr. Fu announced that he had invited these three Governors to meet in Shanghai with a view to discussing the question, and stated that he hoped that he would shortly succeed in bringing about a peace alliance similar to that between the Viceroys of the two Kiangs during the Ching (Manchu) dynasty. That alliance, he said, wes made by the Viceroys Liu and Yin for the purpose of maintaining the tranquility of East China during the Boxer Rebellion.
The three leaders mentioned had consented to Mr. Fu's proposal, hence, while he could not guarantee success, Mr. Fu hoped that such a conference would help in bringing about peace in this part of the country and lead to a better understanding in other parts. The three leaders were now waiting for a telegram to be sent in the name of the public and upon receipt this they would come to Shanghai immediately.
Mr. Fu's proposal, while meeting a certain amount of opposition, is receiving support from many sources, many public bodies pledging their support. The Dah Tong News Bureau states that the Kiangsu Association, one of the strongest organizations in this part of the country, has not only given its support to Mr. Fu, but has already taken action in the matter by approaching the Military Governor of Kiangsu, Gen. Chi Shieh-yuan.
The step taken by Mr. Fu deserves support for, should it be successful, it will put an end to the many rumours of fighting between the Tuchuns at Nanking and Hangchow in which Shanghai would naturally be involved.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.