has developed that, in addition to Gen. Chiang Kai. chok, other high Government officials also were trapped in Sian, They include Gen, Chiang Tso-pin, Minister of Interior; Gen. Chiang Ting-wen, Pacification Commissioner for Fukien; and Gen. Chen Chi-chen, Pacification Commissior ner for Honan, Hupeh, and Shensi borders.
Fighting was reported to be going on Dec. 13 on the Kansu border between the Government forces and those of Gen. Vu Hsueh-tsung, a leading subordinate of Gen. Chang Hsueh-liang.
A telegraphic message received by Mme. Chiang Kai-shek from Chang Hsueh-liang on Dee.
13 stated that Gen, Chiang was safe.
An assurance that the Generalissimo's life would not be endangered also was cent ed Ying-d 1g, Minister for War. message received by Gen. Ho Late that night the situation in Shensi was regarded in Nanking as obscure.. Telegraphic communication with Loyang produced no further' news than th: already emanating from Sian. Nevertheless, it was felt that the Central Government might be in possession of information not available generally, for the prompt issue of the Mandate ordering the dismissal and delivery of the rebel leader, Gen. Chiang Hsueh-liang, for court-martial was thought to be inconsistent with the view that Gen. Chiang Kai-, shek still was unharmed, as sugi gested in Gen. Chang's telegram.' However, there was no disposition to believe the worst until real evidence came to hand and a good deal of reliance was placed on the intervention of Mr. W.-H. Donald, who flew to Sian shortly after arriving in Nanking from Shanghai.
As the former adviser and friend of Gen, Chang Hsueh-liang in the Mukden and Peiping days, and now adviser to Gen. Chiang Ki i-shek, it was considered that Mr. Donald's representations might carry considerable weight, always assuming that the distingui In Nanking there 1s much activity and anxicly, but the Government is cling calmly and methodically the determination to show that its authority cannot be flouted by the disgruntled rebels. Much confidence was created by the readiness of Dr. LIH. Kung, inspire of his indifferent health, to assume charge of the Executive Yuan during the absence of Gen, Chiang Kai-shek. The appointment of Gen. Ho Ying-chin to direct. operations and the inclusion of other high military officers in the Milllary Affairs Commission. as well as the accoplanet by Gen, Feng ished détenus were safe and sound,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.