PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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Reference :-
FC.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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1. For some days, prior to the sudden dismissal of Chin Yun-ao [Chinese characters] by Wu Pei-fu, the political situation in central China was in danger of serious disturbance. While Chin halted his troops, thus permitting the escape of Feng Yu-hsiang's soldiers, Sun Ch'uan-fang was in active negotiation with Cheung Kai-shek for an understanding of mutual interference. Sun Ch'uan-fang thought that with the alliance of Chin, who was then in command of about 110,000 men, he could. militarily, reduce Wu Pei-fu to a position of unimportance, and would be strong enough to resist Chang Tso-lin, who has been at enmity with him. Sun actually gave Cheung Kai-shek an assurance that he would not encroach upon his " preserves So long as Cheung respected Sun's territories, so that Sun might have time to consolidate his position, and to add to his strength and power.
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2. The sudden dismissal of Chin Yun-ao by Wu Pei-fu upset all these calculations. This stroke of Wu Pei-fa's had gained for him the greater confidence of Chang Tso-lin, who hitherto had been mystified by the action, or rather inaction, of his first mili- tary assistant, Chin Yun-ao; and thus Wu Pei-fu's prestige has been enhanced, and his position as a political and military power strengthened.
3. Before Wu Pei-fu dismissed Chin Yun-ao from the command of the First Army, which he has now himself assumed, he made Sun Ch'uan-fang the commander of the Second Army, but Sun at the time neither accepted nor refused the appointment. After Chin's dismissal Sun addressed Wu Pei-fu in telegrams and letters as [Chinese characters]-a designation which before then he studiously avoided using. He has also given Wu $1,200,000, and a large quantity of ammunition.
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4. Sun submitted to Wy because he must have realised the weakness of his own position. It is believed that he himself is in command of only about 30,000 men, 10,000 of whom are directly under Ha Chiu, a native of Chekiang, who is himself ambitious. Then there is Chen Tiu-yuen, on whose whole- hearted support Sun feels he cannot count. Chen Tiu-Yuen is a close friend of Chi Hsi-yuen, who is the commander of the 4th If Wu Army, and one of the most trusted lieutenants of Wu. were to dismiss Sun from the command of the Second Army, as he did Chin Yun-ao from that of the First Army, and publish his order throughout the five provinces under Sun, there is no telling what Ha Chiu, Chen Tiu-yuen and others might not do. And so Sun Ch'uan-fang can now be depended upon to do what Wu Pei-fu desires him to do, at least while the present conditions prevail.
5. Yeh Kai-kin in Hunan has recently suffered several set-backs because Tang Sang-chi has had reinforcements from Kuang-tung. Up till the time of Yeh's defeat, Wu Pei-fu had not sent any troops into Hunan to assist him because Yeh pre-
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ferred to fight his own battles unless he be defeated. He had been victorious until help was given to Tang Sang-chi by Cheung Kai-shek, and he has now appealed to Wu Pei-fu for assistance. Wu has given orders for troops from Hupeh to enter Hunan, and it is likely that they have already crossed the border.
6. Though Chang Tso-lin and Wu Pei-fu are at variance over some political matters, they are practically in agreement on the military question. It is computed that Chang Tso-lin and Wu Pei-fu can assemble 300,000 men to fight Feng Yu-hsiang, who has less than half that number, and it is expected that the cam- paign would be ended in favour of the allied forces in a short time. After this Wu Pei-fu can pay greater personal attention to the south.
7. Ho Ying-yam has sent a man to Wu Pei-fu with a view to assisting towards the removal of Cheung Kai-shek. This in- formation was given in strict secrecy.
The above is the information given by Mr. Kam Cheong.
We have heard that about a week ago Cheung Tat-fui, a senior officer under Li Chai-sum, without the knowledge of Cheung Kai-shek, took his own troops, numbering about 2,000 strong, back to Canton, ostensibly for the purpose of preparing for the Northern Expedition. Cheung immediately sent 2,000 of his Cadets to watch him, and so a game of mutual distrust has begun.
18th June, 1926.
SHOUSON CHOU.
R. H. KOTEWALL.
Since the above was written, Mr. Ngai Ping-im, a nephew of Mr. Ngai Bong-ping, has been to see us. He informed us in confidence that a split in the Kuang-tung military camp may be expected in the very near future, because Chu Pcui-tak and Li Tsai-sam have been in communication with Ngai Bong-ping, and may bring their troops back to Canton on the pretext of assembling them for the Northern Expedition.
18th June, 1926.
S. C.
R. H. K.
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