Peking, Sept. 1.
The Tungchow affair has become a bone of contention in high official civeles. Investigations prove that the prelude to it was a feud between Chiang Kueiti's troops and the Frontier Defence troops of Sung Tse-yang whom Chang Tso-lin hoped to absorb. There has been bad feeling between Chiang—Kuei-ti and Chang Tso-lin over this matter, as each accused the henchmen of the other of having taken the major part in the fracas. Chiang Kuei-ti has resigned and insists upon making his resignation effective, while Chang—Tso-lin threatens to* return to Mukden as a mark of his displeasure. He made a pretence at leaving several days ago, but was coaxed to stay by Premier Chin Yun-peng and permitted himself to be persuaded.
The Government will anticipate an alliance between Chen Shu-fan of Shensi and Tang Chi-yao by removing the former from office. Nyi Tsze-chung is to be replaced in Anhui if a successor can be found to suit all parties. Chang Tso-lin insists upon the appointment of one of his lieutenants, a close relative, to this post so as to ensure his hold upon the Tsin-Pu Railway, but to this strenuous objection is made. It would also appear that Chiang Ku ti's resignation will be accepted, and Chang Tso-lin has made it' plain that he will approve no appointment to the post of Tutung of Jehol with whom he is not in alliance. He wants no Tutungs on the Mongol frontier whom he cannot control. He certainly will not leave until these various matters are settled to his liking.
As regards the report previously current, members of the Cabinet now give positive assurance cnat Yen Hsi-shan, Tuchun of Shansi, will not be removed from office. Both Chinese and foreign opinion is too strongly opposed to such a step.
We are informed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen that there is no truth in the statement that Dr. Wu Ting-fang, Tang Shao-yi, and himself had arrived in Swatow on- their way to Chungking. All three gentlemen are in- Shanghai.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.