CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 235

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was a matter of vital importance to the Russians. only was he reactionary militaristic and well-disposed to foreign (including Japanese interests), but the Russians knew well enough that he alone was capable of exerting a sufficiently stabilising influence on the Central Government to make it possible for the Powers to enter into fruitful negotiations on outstanding questions. It is Russian policy to keep the Powers constantly

Therefore if Russia was to embroiled with China. establish herself firmly at Peking, Chang Tso Lin must be got rid of at any cost.

At the outbreak of hostilities Chang Tso Lin finding himself in an exposed position far away from his base began a movement to the north. At the crucial moment Kuo Sin Ling, a subordinate commander, turned traitor and endeavoured to block his master's retreat. All was apparently lost, when there aurred a dramatic change in the situation. The Japanese threw a large military force into Mukden and along the railway with the object of protecting their nationals and their interests on the railway. At the same time Cheng was enabled to send a force of cavalry against his treacherous subordinate. The issue was wholly successful, Chang Tao Lin re-established himself and Kuo was captured and executed. Meanwhile Feng Yu Hsiang successfully advanced to effect the capture of Tientsin, but having achieved his object suddenly threw up his hand and retired into temporary obscurity. The rasons for Chang'e sudden and unexpected recovery, and for Feng's equally unexpected eclipse are not definitely known and can only be surmised. Probably

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