CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 633

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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Goverment.]__

CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[F 3869/81/10]

No. 1.

[October 24.]

SECTION 2.

Sir B. Alston to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.—(Received October 24.) (No. 507.) My Lord.

Peking, September 1, 1921, IN continuation of my despatch No. 389 of the 11th July I have the honour to report on the political situation in this country since that date.

Lu

The war between Kuangtung and Kuangsi has terminated entirely in favour of the former, largely owing to Kuangsi's inability to obtain ammunition Jungting having resigned his post of inspector-general of the Two Kuang, the war was at an end, as far as serious operations under a united command went, at the end of July, though considerable bodies of troops, one of them holding the treaty port of Lungchow on the Tonkin border. remain to be wiped "Chen Ch'ung-ming still Internal conditions in Kuangtung remain as they were, Sun Yat-sen and supporting divergent policies.

In Hupeh the feeling against Wang Chan-yuan, evoked by his responsibility for the several mutinies and lootings which had taken place at Ichang and Wuchang in that province, led to a widespread demand for his replacement. The Government, led by the remaining two super-Tuchuns, refused to give ear to this demand, and, soon after the middle of July, it became evident that Hunanese troops, accompanied by a so-called ** Hupeh Self-Government Army." were about to attack Wang. Hostilities began about the 24th of that month, the invading forces, who were subsequently reinforced by provincial troops from Kueichow, announcing that their object was but to obtain the removal of Wang and self-government for Hupeb. Wang's troops fought poorly, even for Chinese troops, and many of them surrendered. Under the circumstances, it became necessary for hini to ask for assistance. On the 27th, troops under the command of Hsiao Yueb-nan, one of Wu D''ei-fn's generals, began to arrive at Hankow. They gave him no military assistance, however, and his opponents continued to advance. On the 6th August Wang tendered his resignation, which was accepted three days later. Hsiao Yueh-uan being appointed by Presidential mandate Military Governor of Hupeh, and Wu Pei-fu inspector-general of that province and Hunan. Wu declined the appointment.

Unfortunately, these mandates were not sufficient to satisfy the attacking forces, one of whose leaders styled himself elected Governor of Hupeh." These advanced to within 25 miles of Wuchang (the provincial capital opposite Hankow), but refused to accept the terms offered by Wu P'ei-fu. They have now been driven back over the Hunan frontier, the border city of Yochow having been occupied by Wu. In the meantime, the troops of Szechuen have crossed the Hupeh frontier and are now only a short distance from Ichang: while Canton troops are also stated to have entered Hunan for the purpose of assisting the latter a step which, as in the case of the attack on Kwangso, is believed to meet with the disapproval of Ch'en Ch*ang-ming.

It should be added that the usual concomitant of civil fighting on the Yang-tsze bas ensued, foreign merchant ships and, occasionally, gunboats being fired upon by both the opposing forces. A number of passengers and Chinese members of ships crews have been killed and wounded, but so far no foreigner has been touched.

In the meantime, Wu P'ei-fu has put himself in the bad books of the merchants at Hankow through the

"loan

of 800.000 dollars which he has forced them to give him while strong local objection has also been raised against Hsiao Yueh-nan, who is said to have been appointed Military Governor merely because he was the only native of Hupeh among Wu Pei-fu's generals. He is reported, according to His Majesty's consul-general at Hankow, to be a confirmed opium smoker. Taking it altogether. Wu Pei-fu has so far disappointed some of the hopes based on his democratic utterances and manner of life in the past; but it is too early as yet to condemn him.

According to the press. he has just sent a circular telegram to all provinces condemning alike the Peking and Canton Governments and inviting a national

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