CO129-494 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [9-10] — Page 601

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CONFIDENSIAL

STATE ZONE MADE TO JIR SHOUSON CHOW AND DR. KOTILALL BY R. LUN JAN-SHEUNG, CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY TO FINERAL NGAI BOM- PING, ON 26-10-25.

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I arrived here on the 22nd October by the .s. "President Jefferson from Shanghai, to which General Ngai Bong-Ming had just returned from Kiukiang, Kiangai. General Ngai had been to Kiukiang to see Sun Chuan-fang on his special invitation.

Sun Chuan-fang informed Nai that he had been asked by several parties in Kwongtung for arms and money, but he found it impossible to give assistance to all and sundry, and therefore

to thought it best to look only one person for the conduct of the campaign against Kwongtung from the South side. He considered General Ngai the an best fitted for this job, and accordingly offered to appoint him "Lün K.n Tsung Sze Ling"; but Kai refinal the title for the sole reason that Chan wing-nin; and Kau Shung- chi already bear it. Eventually he arsed to be desinated the

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Jun van on tun; Ivan Táúng Chi Pat" thich gives him full con-

the

trol over all/troope. Igai asked Sun for one million rifle- cartridges in the first instance, but Sun said that on account of of his own needs he could only spare at most 600,000. Sun at once issued telegraphic instructions to his Chief of Staff, Lau Chung- ki, at Hanking, to issue the ammunition. He then enquired what Ngai would need in addition, und ligai replied that he required a fleet of gunboata. This Sun also promised, but he said that lĝai had to wait a little while as at that time the fleet was required. for service on the Yan taze. He promised that as soon as he could spare it, a portion of the fleet would be handed over. Sun also sent an order to Lau Chung-ki to issue to Nai

1,000 tons of coal when the latter takes over the unboats.

In view of this substantial help, Ngai waa loth to ask Sun

for financial assistance. He considered it wise to ask for

money when Kwongtung is reputed to be one of the richeat pro-

vinces in China, and its merchants are known to be very patriotic

He therefore tried to raise funds elsewhere to the best of his

ability.