Serious trouble, has broken out between Szechuan' dad Yunnan, and already some heavy fighting has taken place along the borders of, both provinces. The precise reason for the outbreak is not easy to but one or two, probable wre given. Szechuan "is undoubtedly the richest province in China and one of the richest, parts of this great province is what is. Known as, the Jienchang valle which is very rich in minerals ani is the main highway between the two provinces and the road along which silk travels to Burma and south China, Considerable _morchandise is brought to west China, not by the usual way,- namely, up the Yangtze, but. by Haiphong, Yunnan, and the Jienchang valley, to Szechuan, Several years ago, probably about 1916, when the Yunnanese were riven out of Szechuan, a Chinese military man named Yang Ren-an stretched himself out along thin wealthy valley and proceeded make himself feudal lord of the belt, As years passed, it became impossible to remove' the now powerful lord and a very. strong factor in his party was his capable old mother, who had much influence with the surrounding Lolos, domestic and otherwise, and, should anything threaten the' position of her son, the Lolos were called down from the mountains to give their help. Gen. Yang's position became impregnable and apparently nothing: could dislodge him except something like the present trouble, A cause for dispute was discovered between 'Yunnan and Szechuan and very soon both provinces were hurrying troops towards Hugilichow, near the' Yangtze and on the borders of Szechuan, Yang now finds himself occupying an impossible position between two oppor mes, of which he recogni 4 "must fight for. Already a considerable. army has passed along the Jienchang valley and evidence is not wanting that this warlord is in rather hot water.. One day, serious "scuffle took place and a big military official came out of the bath-room minus his head. If the object of the, present hostilities between the tivo provinces is merely: the elimination of Yang Ren-an, that may be accomplished, provided hie old) mother fails to call down the wild, turbulent, lawless Lolo hordes.
Territorial Jealousy The other probable cause of the present disturbance "is territorial is Jealousy between the two provinces. Minor warlords are ever secking pastures both new and green and" there is continually friction be+ tween Szechuan and Yunnan, Jionchang, Being rich in fron, copper, coal, and other valuable metals, is considered one of the big taxable istriets in this rich and' wealthy Province. A few years tenure of office along the Jienchang valley. opens up undreamed visions of promotion in the government of the young republic. Yang Ren-an, may be, has held the position too long and it is now time for him to." be removed and give another man a chance. Yang, however, has made himself master' of this important road and the problem is how te dislodge him. Again, Yang only. admits a nominal recognition of the powers-that-be and his allegiance. merely swings in the direction of his own security. This by no moaria makes for the peace ity of the province and Yang. ed as a thorn that demands very, careful handling.
Long, the governor of Yunnan, has despatched his troops to the border and apparently is prepared to fight and offend or defend as the occasion arises. A general war, however, between the two provinces can never take place, as Szechuan is. already divided between too many warlords, each refusing for assist, the other, having no. idea of the object or purpose of the other man. awake to the. situation, however, and, since the destruction of the telephone exchange a mont ago by fire, the electric light works, the telegraph office, ote, have been 80 guarded that no untoward act' haa been done, "yati
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.