13 MAY 1922, Page 3

The rival Chinese generals who were centesting the possession of

Peking joined battle on Wednesday, May 3rd, to the south of the city. Wu Pei-fu, of Chihli, attacked his adversary's western flank and after a day's fighting gained a complete victory. Chang Tso-lin, the Viceroy of Manchuria, retired in -haste to Mukden, and his beaten troops followed as best they could. According to Reuter's correspondent, Wu Pei-fu owed his success to Feng Yu-hsiang, who is known as the Christian General, and who, like Gordon, is said to carry a Testament .in his pocket wherever he goes. It remains to be seen whether Wu Pei-fu can now assert his superiority over the Tuchuns, or military governors of the Yangtsze provinces, to say nothing of Canton. Until the provinces recognize the Central Govern- ment, the Chinese Republic will be but the shadow of a name, and foreign assistance will avail China very little.