CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 132

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8. The Red Party, which had at its disposal the Russian trained Whampoa Cadets and controlled the Labour and Strike Unions, thereupon moved some troops into Canton and carried out a search for all members of the Government and other leaders who were suspected of holding moderate views - those arrested ware questioned as to their complicity with the assassination of Liao Chung Kai,

9. Some of the so-called Moderates (Generals and civilians, including Ngai Bong Ping) fled, others are stated to have professed adherence to the present leaders. Numerous movements of troops about the Delta and district are reported but nothing reliable about them is known.

10. It was reported from Canton, however, on 31st August that the Russians did not appear to be too sure of their ow safety nor were their officers too popular with the Red troops they are in charge of. In this connection it is noticeable that the Soviet S.S."Pamiat Lenina" which sailed on 30th August took away 8 Russian women for Vladivostock and that the Russians still in Canton instead of remaining in their scattered houses have, including K. Brodin, now concentrated in one group. Further, that every day more Chinese who a few weeks ago were rabidly anti-British are saying that their only hope lies in British intervention and they wish it would hurry up and come.

It may be that the above have been influenced by local rumours of British action but I would not hazard any opinion as

to the correctness of this. On the other hand the Consul-

General, Hankow, has telegraphed that Marshal u Pei Pu is organising forces to expel the ed element. Wu urged that no independent foreign action should be taken to effect this as it would endanger the success of the proposed Chinese expedition but he, however, mggested my getting into communication with one of his generals, (Chem Chiung Ming) now at Shanghai, which, needless to say, has not been acted on.

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