General Tang Shang-chi had been defeated by Marshal Wu's generals and were being driven into the corner of Hunan province, south-east of Heng-chou-fu. The outlook for the Canton Soviet was, therefore, far from bright, the more so as Cheung Kai-shek, who had made himself generalissimo of the Kuang-tung armies, was regarded with jealousy by his subordinate generals and could not rely upon their loyalty.
3.
395
The position today seems to be very different. The Kuo-min-chin in the north is holding its own with Russian assistance and is still threatening Peking. Those who have all along maintained that oil and vinegar are more likely to mix than are Marshals Tu and Chang to combine in stable alliance seem justified in their scep- tician. Marshal Sun Ch'uan-fang continues to maintain neutrality and it is improbable that he will make any more, except in defence of the five provinces which he controls, until he knows whether Bolshevista or anti- Bolshevists will prevail in the present struggle. At the moment he is exhorting both sides to refrain from fighting any longer and appears, himself, to be content with the rich satrapy which he rales. General T'ang Shang-chi has now defeated Marshal Wu's troops and seems to have driven them out of Hunan province. He has occupied Chang-sha and apparently reached Yo-chou on the Yangtase in the extreme north-east of the province. There is even talk now of an advance upon Hankow; and on the 27th July, General Cheung Kai-shek, accompanied by the Russian General
Canton Gallent, left/for the front with the avowed object of taking command of the northern punitive expedition", which aims at the annihilation of Marshals Wu and Chang.
4.
Hunan province has on its western border the
provinces