CHINESE LEADER KILLED IN ACTION: Unverified Announcement General Wu Is Dead—Head of Central Forces.
PEKING, May 3. --(By the Associated Press.)--It was announced at General Chang Tso-Lin's headquarters today that General Wu Pei-fu, the central Chinese leader, had been killed in action. The announcement has not been otherwise confirmed. The foreign legations here are investigating. Fentien Troops Hold Gound. PEKING, May 3.--(By the Associated Press.)--The Fengtien army under General Chang-Tso-lin has, for the moment, at least, successfully withstood the drive on Changsintien and stopped General Wu Pei-fu's movement toward Peking. The cost, however, has been heavy and Changsintien is filled with wounded, many of whom are dying for lack of medical attention. While Chang has succeeded in this action, there has been no apparant advantage of consequence for either side in the general fighting along the 100-mile front from here to Tientsin, and both commanders are rushing up reenforcements in preparation for a decisive action. Communications Threatened. General Chang's communications are threatened, both front and rear, for Wu has thrown 40,000 troops against his right center in an effort, while Admiral Tu Shih Kwei has notified the Nanking consular body of his intention to cut the railway connecting the Peking-Tientsin road with Mukden, General Chang's base. This railway is within the range of naval guns at Chinwangtao. At the eastern end of the battlefront, General Wu is marching 20,000 troops toward Machang, one of the Fengtieners' strongholds, where heavy fighting has occurred for three days. Sun Yat Sen to Aid Chang. Meanwhile word comes through Shanghai that Sun Yat Sen, president of the southern government is preparing to send aid to Chang Tso Lin. He will strike at the psychological moment, it is said, sending troops either through Hankow or Nanking, the route depending on the outcome of the present conflict. Drive for Tien Tsin. Today's advices to the American military attaches are the General Wu's main army appears to be engaged in a drive toward Tien Tsin. Severe fighting has ocurred along the Hun river, which indicates that units of Wu's forces are closing the country from Pao Ting Fu, towards the northeast. Artillery firing is also reported to have opened along a wide front at Machang, south of Tien Tsin, on the Tukow railroad, where large forces of general Chang's troops are concentrated under the command of the Manchurian leader's 35-year-old son. Try to Cut Lines. Wu Pei Fu's drive toward Tien Tsin is designed to isolate Chang Tso Lin's forces by cutting their line between Tien Tsin and Taku, on the sea. Success of this move would also result in the cutting off of General Chang's 40,000 men north of Tien Tsin. Meanwhile three Chinese cruisers are engaged in an attempt to destroy the Mukden railroad at Shanhaikwan. Fighting has been resumed south of the Peking wall. A terrific explosion this morning shook the windows of the city. It was attributed to the destruction of an arsenal by bombs dropped from airplanes operating for General Chang army. U. S. Gunboat to Seene. Admiral Joseph Strauss, commander of the American Asiatic fleet, after a conference with Minister Schurman, ordered the gunboat Wilmington to proceed from Hong Kong to Tientsin. The foreign vessels now at Tientsin include three Japanese torpedo boats, a British submarine tender, a French gunboat and an Italian gunboat. They will guard the Pei-ho, the river running inland from Taku to Tientsin. Reports that he has resigned were denied today by Acting Premier Chow Tsu-chi. He said he intended to retain his post. President Isu Shih-chang and his cabinet in Peking continue to profess neutrality.