From all appearances it would appear as though the deadlock between the authorities at Nanking and Shanghai was at an end and that a return to peaceful conditions was possible.
The Shanghai "Journal of Commerce," a fairly representative Chinese journal, on Tuesday pub-hushed an article denying certain rumours which have been current to the effect that the Military Governor, Marshal Chi (Shiehyuan, at Nanking, has despatched large number of troops to Quinsan. In this connexion it is important to mention that the military leaders concerned state that they will abide by the peace treaty which they entered into several months ago and will maintain peace and order, pvotecting or defending their respective territories only when called upon to do so.
The authorities at Nanking are firm in their claim that, Shanghai and Woosung being within the province of Kiangsu normally, geographically and politically, the Civil Governor, and the "Civil Governor only, should have full authority in making such an appointment, Gen. Ho's arguments are well known to all and need not again be repeated. Meanwhile, Yen. Sun Chen-kiang, Nanking's appointee, whose appointment has been confirmed by a mandate issued by President Tsao Kun, has been unable to take over office, and Col. In Yung-chien, Gen. Ho's man, still' occupies the late Gen. Hsu's position.
An official attached to Mawrshal Chi's yamen in Nanking informs us that a report which has been published in the press to the effect. that Marshal Chi has agreed to permit Col. Lu to act for a period of six months, after which he will hand over seals to' Gen. Sun without question. is absolutely incorrect and without foundation.
Mr. Chang Yi-lun, former Minister of Education, who is now one of the leading local gentry and who did a great deal in having the recent Kiangsu-Chékiang-Shanghai peace treaty signed, has addressed a letter to Gen. Ho urging him to permit Gen. Sun to take over office immediately and stating that he, Mr. Chang, will be personally responsible for any consequences. Mr. Chang states that Gen. Ho will he abiding by the wishes of the people should he do this and he will win the love and admiration not only of the Chinese people but the foreigners here as well.
The residents of Kiangsu are reported to have addressed telegrams to the different military and civil leaders in Kian'gsu, Kiangsi and Chekiang as well as Shanghai urging them to abide by the peace treaty and maintain peace and and order in this part of- the country.
A Turn for the Better: Attempt To Convene a Conference There are many signs that the native police dispute has taken a turn for the better, not the least welcome being the news th practical steps have been taken to start negotiations between the principals concerned.
It is reported that, funds having been received Mr. Han Kuo-chun, Civil Gover-, nor of Kiangsu, at- Nanking, the salaries of the native police here were distributed yesterday. This act on the part of the Civil Governor, it is stated, came asa surprise, everybody being under the impression that he would refuse to pay any funds to the local police until his appointee, Gen. Sun Chen-kiang, had assumed the post. of Director of Shanghai and Woosung Native Constabulary. Another report is, however, that the police are still waiting for their pay and that the provincial! treasury continues to with-r funds.
Meanwhile, Gen. Ho Feng-ling, Military Governor of Shanghai and Sungkiang, has ordered a battalion of his Hest artillery. to act as 4 guard of honour for the funeral of the late Gen. Hsu Kuo-liang, the murdered police chief.
Telegrams have been addressed to Gen. Lu Yung-hsiang, Director-General for the Reorganization of. "Military Affairs in Chekiang, and Marshal Chi Shieh-yuan, High Military Inspecting Commissioner of Kiangsu, Kiangsi and: Anhui and Military Governor of Kiang-ssu, urging them to come to Shanghai to meet personally with Gen, Ho Feng-ling, Shanghai's Malitary Governor, to discuss the Jocal political and military situation. Gen. Lu has signified his willingness to come if Marshal Chi agrees also to attend such a conference in person.
Correspondence Between Gen.
Ho Feng-ling and the Civil Governor The following correspondence is said to have taken place by the Chinese press between General Ho Feng-ling and the Civil Governor of Kiangsu:—Mr. Han Kuo-chun, Civil Governor of Kiangsu, has telegraphed to Gen. Ho with reference to Gen. Sun_Chen-kiang's candidature. Mr. Han states that the post hag always been under his direct charge and the occupant has always been recommended by him. Among other things, Mr. Han states that "I appointed Gen. Hsu in 1914 and received the approval of the Cabinet in. the following year. The Director of Police in Shanghai and Woosung has, by order of the Cabinet and the President. been placed under my direct control amd order, and only in special instances can the Military. Governor of © Shanghai direct. the Director but he has no power of control. When Gen. Wang: Kuei-lin took over the post of Commissioner of Police for Kiangsu Province, Shanghai and Woosung was purposely left out on condition that the position was to be directly supervised under the Civil Governor. Thus you will see that I, and I alone, have the. power to appoint Director to office or to dismiss. The Military Governor of Shanghai is not empowered with this authority. Our friendship has been of long standing and I trust that the appointment of a new Police Director will not be permitted to cause a breach."
Gen. Ho, in the course of a reply, states "I wish to differ in opinion with you. Gen. Hsu Kuo-liang was not appointed by your office at all. He was appointed at the recommendation of Admiral Tseng Vu-cheng, who was Commissioner of Defence here and later first Military Governor, Your letter docs -not refer to a Cabirtet order of the 9th year of the Republic, which was count-resigned by the President. This appoints me in absolute charge of local police. Perhaps you have lost your copy, but as I have drawn your attention to it in 1" previous letter I think that. you have no doubt read and taken notes of the contents. We are all out to help our country and to maintain peace and order, Let us all keep peace and order and do our duty to' the -people. I hope you will forgive me for telling you not to waste your time, your breath, your words and your pen and ink in useless agrument."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.