There are a good many conflicting rumours as to the cause of the trouble, but it seems clear to the writer that it has to do with the acceptance of peace terms on the part of the Northwestern leaders Gens. Yang Hu-chen, Sun Vu-ju, and Gen. Chang Hsueh-liang's three army commanders, Gens. Vu Heueh-chung, Wang I-chih and Kwo-Chu-wel, The Sunlor officers of the Northeastern Army object very strongly to the peace terms. They are angry and Upset at having to evacuate the front line trenches and move Into Kansu. They complain that they have been led to believe that war was to be declared upon Japan and they were ready to fight their way back to their homes in Manchoukuo, Instead of which they are now ordered to move further away than ever, into a poverty stricken province unable to support them in food for themselves and their families. Their families are at present stationed in Sian, To move them into Kansu. will involve a. serious "problem Wansport, An order has already gone Out for the requisition of 2,000 carts. 'The railway will not serve them, for only reaches to Poochi, 100 miles west of Sian, where carts would be unobtainable.' A long tedious uncom= fortable cart journey of at least 250 miles to an outlandish poverty stricken district does not appeal to them, 40 they have risen in revolt against their senior commanders. It is pretty clear that they would have assassinate ced all of them; Gen. Yang Hu-chen Included, if they could have got away with it.' But the revolt has been squashed and they have to go.
Situation Relieved shot Gen, Wang Tenth, while Gen, Ho Chu-kuo made good his escape, Immediately the news reached Gen. Yang Huechen firm steps were taken to control the situa-Mon. Colonel Sun and his battalion were surrounded and taken after a brief sume, the city and suburb ates were closed, and the city walls and gates were manned by Gen, Yang's troops, No further resistance was encountered and things quiet~ ened down once more, The next day (February' 8) preparations for a gen eral evacuation began and by the evening of February 8 the elly was practically denuded of all troops.
For two whole days the city was ina slate of something bordering upon chaos, Everywhere lines of carts and motor lorries were to be seen loaded up with ammunition, guns, army equipment, officers' fami-Mes ' and" household" "utensils, all making for the west and north gates. On the night of February 4 the east suburb was looted in a systematic way, But apart from this one breach of discipline the grand evacuation has been carried out in a reasonably or-dorly fashion, Now we ate walling for the Central Government troops to come and occupy the city. Everything being made ready for them; all anti-Japanese and anti-Government postfers have been assiduously removed and no doubt posters, welcoming the Government troops will be plastered all over the lly to-day. So far the people are concerned this wel come will be a very sincere and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.