The War

Dramatis Personae:

Super-Tuchun Chang, of Manchuria. He seeks to recapture Peking, which was under his influence in 1922. He then proposes to unify China.

Super-Tuchun Wu, of Chihli and many another province, "strongest man in China," military backbone of the Peking Government. He drove Chang out of Peking in 1922 and now hopes to defeat him, Lu and Dr. Sun, and thus bring all China under the rule of the Central Government at Peking.

President Tsao Kun, brother-in-law to Chang, but opposed to him in the present dispute. He assists Wu quietly but effectively behind the scenes.

Tuchun Chi, of Kiangsu. He started the present dispute, allegedly at the behest of Wu, by claiming control of Shanghai, which is in his territory.

Tuchun Lu, of Chekiang, against Wu, he defends his control of Shanghai.

Military Commissioner Ho, of Shanghai, puppet relative of Lu, whom he represents.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, of Canton, "perpetual rebel," self-styled President of Southern China. He is allied with Chang and Lu.

General Feng Yu-hsiang, "Chinese Christian soldier." He is one of the chief generals under the command of Wu. His soldiers, equipped with a bedding roll, an extra pair of boots, a tiny cup and a rifle, made their way last week through Peking en route for the Manchurian frontier. In spite of approaching cold weather, they wore only faded blue cotton uniforms with a red band around the right sleeve. In addition, each man carried a Chinese umbrella.

General Feng's troops are pledged to abstain from "drinking, smoking and loose living." Their battle cries and marching songs are set to hymn tunes. Their favorite song, which, when translated, is said to be "most bloodthirsty and obscene," is set to the tune of Onward, Christian Soldiers.

There are two fronts in the present war (TIME, Sept. 8, et seq.) : One in the North where the Super-Tuchuns Chang and Wu are contending; one around Shanghai, between the Tuchuns Chi and Lu.

North. No decisive fighting took place in the northern theatre of war. Both Wu and Chang made extravagant claims for the future, none of which could be taken seriously. Movements of troops were reported on both sides. Air-force units were active.

Tuchun Chang requested the British and U. S. consuls to warn the Nationals in the war area that he was engaged in a life and death battle and could not stop at "half-measures." He suggested that foreigners leave the area, as he found himself unable to afford them adequate protection.

Preliminary fighting between the Chang and Wu factions was reported, but the strict censorship imposed obscured the details. The clashes were, however, unimportant. A great battle was expected in the early future.

Shanghai. The third army of Tuchun Lu, defender of Shanghai, revolted, went over to the enemy. Lu said it was unfortunate but not necessarily disastrous. He withdrew his troops from positions around Lake Taihu and fell back upon positions outside Shanghai.

The troops of Tuchun Chi made desperate attacks on Shanghai, which continued to hold out despite all predictions of utter defeat. Foreign correspondents with the Chi army said that the fall of Shanghai was only a matter of time, as Chi had a greater and better-equipped army than Lu. One of the reasons of the failure of the Chi troops to defeat Lu decisively was said to be their erratic artillery fire. Terrific bombardments of the enemy lines were made, but as many of the field guns were fired like howitzers, and as the timing of the shells was indifferent, the Chi troops were everlastingly being surprised to find that the Lu army was as firmly entrenched as ever before Shanghai.

South. Dr. Sun in the South continued to concentrate his troops but, as far as could be ascertained, no soldiers had been sent to aid Tuchun Lu.