Hankow, Jun, 22, The news of the death of Gener: Liu Hsiang. Governor of Szechuan, province, has caused a great sensation, In this city although only a. bare, Feport of his death har been received Its immediate political significance Nes in the fact" that it results. in strengthening General Chiang Kai shek's position in. Western China. General Lift Hsiang had played leading part both as politician and. army chief in guiding during the last 18 years the "destiny of Szechuan which with its 60,000,000. inhabitants and an area of 566,000 square Iilome= res is the largest of the Chinese Gen. Liu Hsiang, who rose from the ranks, took part_in the national campaign" against Peiping in. the YEOEs of 1908-7 but "always' held rom hiving open support to the Chinese Central Government.
In. the civil war which broke out in Szechuan in 1932. he overthrow his "uncle Liv Wong-hui, then governor, and made himself governor the province and commander-in-chief of the Szechuan army. At the Outbreak of the present conflict he Fesponded to Chiang Kai-shek' appeal for support by sending six divisions.
Gen, Liu Hsiang's death gives Gen, Chiang Kai-shek an opportunity to bring Szechuan under the direct, control of the Central. Government. It is generally expected here that General Chang Chun, who is a native of Szechuan and who is reputed to have considerable influence there, will be chosen as successor to the Jdead governor. "particularly as he enjoys the confidence of Gen. Chians,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.