- 5-
52
paragraph 12 of my secret despatch of the
4th April.
7. At present it is believed that the
Fourth Army is no longer in Kiangsi and has been
moved to the Yangtsze to take part in the
fighting there. But perhaps the mere threat to
bring it back will have the required effect, as
the present Canton administration is by no means
unanimous and any serious attempt to overthrow it
would disclose the fact that there is more than
one traitor in the camp. Possibly, therefore, a Cantonese expedition may be sent into Kwangsi
and some show made of complying with the orders of
Nanking.
8.
Consequent on the departure to Canton of
the garrisons in the country districts, bandits
have again become active. It is significant that
in many districts brigands emerged within a few
days after the withdrawal of the troops.
I am
informed that the Chinese troops stationed near
our frontier at Nam Tau and Sha U Chung have been moved to Canton: and that both troops and gunboats have been withdrawn from Bias Bay, whence rumours of renewed piratical schemes have again reached
I have taken this matter up with His
Majesty's Consul-General at Canton as well as with General Ch'an Ming-shu, who is still in
me.
hospital